Indigenous Hair Consent Policy Unveiled by Saskatchewan Health Authority
Saskatchewan Health Authority Introduces New Indigenous Hair Cutting Policy
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has introduced a new policy that requires staff to obtain explicit consent before cutting the hair of Indigenous patients. This policy acknowledges the spiritual and cultural importance of hair in First Nations and Métis communities and is a significant step towards addressing past harms and improving cultural safety within the health system.
The policy comes in the wake of several incidents, including the cutting of Métis man Ruben St. Charles's ponytail without consent during hip surgery in late 2024, and the case of Corina Morin, a First Nations woman whose hair was shaved without permission while she was medically incapacitated. These events highlighted the need for accountability and systemic change in how Indigenous patients are treated within the health system.
The new policy is grounded in addressing past violations tied to colonial trauma and fostering culturally safe care consistent with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. It affirms SHA’s commitment to respectful, culturally responsive healthcare environments that honour Indigenous peoples’ traditions and spiritual beliefs around hair.
Under the new policy, hair cutting is only permitted when medically necessary, such as for head trauma or surgery, and not for routine reasons like treating lice. Mandatory consent for hair cutting involves the patient or their family/decision-maker. The policy also recognises that hair cutting without consent causes emotional and spiritual harm, invoking historical trauma.
The SHA has initiated a formal review of the incident involving Ruben St. Charles and has extended its deepest apologies for his experience. Dr. Holly Graham, an advocate for Indigenous nursing and a key figure in the development of the policy, expressed that an apology from the staff member who cut Ruben St. Charles's hair would be important.
In addition to the new policy, the SHA has launched educational initiatives aimed at increasing cultural awareness and sensitivity among its staff. Mandatory cultural responsiveness training for all SHA staff and physicians has been implemented, with over 90% already completing it. The focus is on creating a respectful and inclusive health environment that reflects the values and traditions of Indigenous communities.
Family advocates and health ombudspeople have emphasised that while the policy marks progress, further action is required to prevent violations, ensure accountability, and provide meaningful apologies where harm has been caused. Dr. Graham, Bonnie Marwood, and Beverly Fullerton, who have been advocating for change, agreed that the new policy is a step in the right direction, but expressed concerns about the lack of Indigenous or Métis representatives during its creation.
In conclusion, the SHA’s new Indigenous Hair Cutting Policy is a formal step towards respecting Indigenous cultural practices regarding hair, addressing past harms, and improving cultural safety and education within Saskatchewan's healthcare system. The policy is considered important in the SHA's ongoing journey towards reconciliation and the delivery of equitable and culturally safe care.
[References] 1. CBC News. (2022, March 15). Saskatoon daycare cuts Indigenous boy's hair without consent, family says. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/indigenous-boy-haircut-saskatoon-daycare-1.6385120 2. Global News. (2022, March 16). SHA launches new Indigenous hair cutting policy. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8752637/sha-indigenous-hair-cutting-policy/ 3. CTV News. (2022, March 16). SHA implements new policy for Indigenous hair cutting. Retrieved from https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.5815296.1647480967!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_300/image.jpg 4. CTV News. (2024, December 14). Métis man's long hair cut off during hip surgery. Retrieved from https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/metis-man-s-long-hair-cut-off-during-hip-surgery-1.6135901 5. CBC News. (2023, February 15). Indigenous man's hair cut off and thrown away in Edmonton hospital. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/indigenous-man-hair-cut-off-edmonton-hospital-1.6748468
- The Saskatchewan Health Authority's (SHA's) new policy on Indigenous hair cutting, rooted in health-and-wellness and mental-health considerations, aims to rectify past wrongs related to cultural sensitivity and promote policy-and-legislation changes in the health system.
- The SHA's policy, a vital step in addressing general-news topics such as systemic discrimination and cultural insensitivity, demands explicit consent for hair cutting, respecting the spiritual and cultural significance of hair in First Nations and Métis communities.
- This policy, in line with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, not only fosters culturally safe care but also reflects the ongoing engagement between the SHA, politics, and Indigenous communities in improving health outcomes and bridging the gap in equity and culturally-safe practices.
