{"id":889586,"date":"2026-02-02T02:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T08:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/first-nations-health-ombudsperson-seeks-independent-inquiry-into-hospital-security-practices\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T02:20:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T08:20:00","slug":"first-nations-health-ombudsperson-seeks-independent-inquiry-into-hospital-security-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/first-nations-health-ombudsperson-seeks-independent-inquiry-into-hospital-security-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"First Nations health ombudsperson seeks independent inquiry into hospital security practices"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"featured-image\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=nK4Ow94C5etHnH8DI2_Arw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=qsAUSRQOb1bwm-ODYuYNuw 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=pR0yxBZ3YbyIbLHEy8ZAyw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=5u3ubswFhnstQIE_taKryA 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=izjZdOBoi978iQA2aC8IqA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=ClZnNIkisDdgBIH5aqZFng 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=fEKVB_a3vTHZruE1w37q7Q, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=6Uyr1JWoBr6_lFePeNsWog 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=b8SCFKmc2cBBL3JJIpmAmA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=itvdlwqXdPdXGP2pjG8jVQ 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img alt=\"Friends and family of Trevor Dubois hold signs and photos during a press conference at the Saskatoon Tribal Council head office on Jan. 12, 2026. Dubois died on Jan. 9 following an altercation involving security officers at Royal University Hospital. The family is calling for answers about the circumstances surrounding his death. Photo taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=tjvfzeB0Gev9REZlwioCTw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=tjvfzeB0Gev9REZlwioCTw,\n                    https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0113-news-trevor-dubois-04_300716434.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;sig=qUvsY5VJwMUmqPBJBH7JWA 2x\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"750\" width=\"1000\"><\/picture><figcaption><span>Friends and family of Trevor Dubois hold signs and photos during a press conference at the Saskatoon Tribal Council head office on Jan. 12.<\/span> <span>Photo by Michelle Berg<\/span> \/<span>Saskatoon StarPhoenix<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The First Nations health ombudsperson says she has serious concerns about what her office calls \u201cthe growing number of harmful encounters\u201d between First Nations people and Saskatchewan Health Authority security in provincial hospitals.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section data-aqa=\"identity-sign-in\" data-async id=\"article-block\">\n<header>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Star Phoenix\" height=\"37\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.4.0\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-ssp-new.svg\" width=\"280\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Saskatoon StarPhoenix ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Saskatoon StarPhoenix ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month.<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div data-auth-component id=\"auth-screen-form\" aria-live=\"assertive\">\n<h2>Sign In or Create an Account<\/h2>\n<p><span><\/span><span>or<\/span><span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Diane Lafond, who last fall said she had received around 300 complaints over an 18-month span about issues or services from within the SHA, said on Monday that her office is \u201ccurrently managing more than 20 serious complaints\u201d involving hospital security and First Nations patients.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile some investigations are complete and others ongoing, together they point to a clear and troubling pattern,\u201d Lafond said in a statement.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<div aria-labelledby=\"SaskatoonStarPhoenixAfternoonHeadlines7292664209488870762533113240223744\" data-account-id=\"b9d3df2fccd108b5eff3c44f573b2cd6\" data-aqa=\"widget-newsletter\" data-newsletter=\"single\" data-newsletter-component data-target-list=\"SP_HeadlineNews\" data-widget=\"newsletter\">\n<p>By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The latest and most high-profile incident surrounds the death on Jan. 9 of Trevor Dubois.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The 36-year-old cancer patient died following an altercation with security at Royal University Hospital. Saskatoon police said methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and an imitation firearm were found in his room, though his mother, Val Dubois, and his niece, Jayden Dubois, said the firearm was a pink and yellow cigarette holder-lighter.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The SHA said security had been called to a patient\u2019s room after staff reported a safety concern, and that during the response, \u201ca physical altercation occurred between the patient and SHA Protective Services Officers, and the patient became unresponsive.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Lafond on Monday called for an immediate, independent inquiry into the death of Dubois \u201cthat includes meaningful involvement from First Nations and engagement\u201d with her office.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Lafond said First Nations people \u201cdeserve to feel safe, respected, and treated with dignity in hospitals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The Saskatchewan government announced last week that it is launching an independent, third-party review of overall hospital safety and security at the request of the SHA due to long-standing concerns about both.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The review will look at the ways security is delivered and performed, and how safety levels can be improved. As well, additional ways to strengthen partnerships with Indigenous organizations and health system partners will be considered, the government added.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>As part of a pilot project, the SHA had recently installed metal detectors in the emergency department entrance at RUH and Jim Pattison Children\u2019s Hospital. In addition to detectors in other Saskatoon and Regina hospitals, more metal detectors are scheduled to be installed this month at the Regina Urgent Care Centre, Battlefords Union Hospital and Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p> thestarphoenix <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/news\/local-news\/first-nations-health-ombudsman-seeks-independent-inquiry-into-hospital-security-practices\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Friends and family of Trevor Dubois hold signs and photos during a press conference at the Saskatoon Tribal Council head office on Jan. 12. Photo by Michelle Berg \/Saskatoon StarPhoenix Article content The First Nations health ombudsperson says she has serious concerns about what her office calls \u201cthe growing number of harmful encounters\u201d between First<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":889587,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[673,2621],"tags":[5719,15869],"class_list":["post-889586","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-first","category-nations","tag-first","tag-nations"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/889586","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=889586"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/889586\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/889587"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=889586"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=889586"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=889586"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}