Two AHS employees terminated over racial slur
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LETHBRIDGE – Alberta Health Services has confirmed that two staff members have been fired in relation to a racial slur directed at a Kainai Board of Education (KBE) employee.
Last Thursday (June 22) at a news conference on the Blood Reserve, Ramona Big Head, Tatsikiisaapo’p middle school principal, stated she was taking action after receiving a discriminatory comment in a text message from an Alberta Health Services (AHS) representative.
“This is one battle I’m going to fight for the rest of my life.”
According to Big Head, Renee Martin, an evaluation lead with AHS, and one of her colleagues were invited by the Blood Tribe to carry-out two days of program evaluation training. After their first day of training on June 19, it’s alleged that Martin accidentally sent a text message to Big Head, claiming that Big Head yelled at her then calling the woman “a rabid sq***.” (photo of the text above)
“I attended this training because I run a lot of parent programs, reading programs and such out of the middle school… I think at one point I questioned one of the examples they used, which had to do with experimental design, “Big Head previously explained, adding that she has been teaching for more than 20 years, and is also a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia.
“The example she gave I felt was unethical, so I pointed that out… And I’m not sure that’s what prompted her to be offended at the end of the training sessions, but it was all done assertively but respectfully.”
The KBE superintendent and deputy superintendent were notified immediately about what had happened, according to an official protest letter that was read aloud for media on June 22. Martin did attempt to call Big Head to apologize after the message was sent, but was told by the deputy superintendent to cancel the second day of training and that the KBE did not agree with her behaviour.
Trying to reach out once again, Martin sent an e-mail to the KBE with the subject line, “For what it’s worth.”
The protest letter also points to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 calls to action, released in 2015. Recommendation 57 was specifically referenced, stating that all governments should “provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples,” and that “this will require skills-based
training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.”
In their letter, KBE officials are now demanding that:
– the two AHS representatives do not get paid for the training program they were requested for;
– AHS make a formal apology to the KBE, Blood Tribe and all reserves across Canada;
– the representatives be dealt with to the fullest extent, and all those actions be reported to the Blood Tribe Chief and Council;
– AHS ensures all its representatives have a high level of cultural awareness; and
– AHS fund a cultural centre on the Blood reserve in order for local elders to educate public servants as well as other communities.
Councillor Robin Little Bear also noted that the Blood Tribe Chief and Council stands behind all of the KBE’s demands.
At the news conference, Big Head noted, “I have 20 grandchildren. I don’t want them to have to experience being called that. I’m angry, but at the same time thank you. This is happening for a reason, and maybe the reason is because I need to be the voice and help vindicate the rest who don’t have a voice today.”
On Monday (June 26), Alberta Health Services issued a statement indicating that it had conducted an investigation and two employees had been terminated as a result of the incident. However, there was no reference in the AHS statement in regards to the reparation demands made by the KBE.
The remainder of the statement from Dr. Verna Yiu, AHS President and CEO of the AHS, follows:
We will take this opportunity to reiterate that this incident is not representative of who AHS is or what AHS stands for. We are a team of individuals with passion, commitment to caring, and above all: respect for those we serve. Albertans of every community are our partners and our neighbours.
All AHS employees are expected to adhere to our Code of Conduct, which includes treating all people with dignity and fairness.
Building cultural competency and sensitivity in our staff remains an important priority for Alberta Health Services. In our communication with staff on this issue, we have stressed that training for all AHS employees, and will continue to do so.
We have also told our staff that the true test of our organization is what we do next. AHS is committed to advancing the process of reconciliation with indigenous peoples and communities, and we will move forward from this incident together with our indigenous communities and all Albertans.
