Unauthorized Hair Cut: Indigenous Woman Suffers Violation at Royal University Hospital
The First Nations Health Ombudsperson's office is actively pursuing a formal complaint against the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) regarding the incident where 54-year-old First Nations woman, Corina Morin, had her hair shaved without consent while she was medically incapacitated in the ICU at Royal University Hospital[1][2].
The incident, which occurred on June 10, 2025, was described by Dr. Dianne Lafond, the First Nations Health Ombudsperson, as a "grave betrayal of trust" and a "violation of cultural safety"[1][2]. The decision to shave Morin's hair was made by a registered nurse without a formal policy, assessment, or her consent.
Following this incident, the SHA enacted the Indigenous Hair Cutting Policy for all staff on August 1, 2025. The new policy requires staff to get explicit consent from Indigenous patients before cutting their hair, except when medically necessary, such as for head trauma or brain or head surgery[1][2]. The policy also includes mandatory cultural responsiveness training for staff, with over 90% completion reported[1][2].
However, the Ombudsperson's office has expressed concerns about the respect and inclusion protocols during the policy development[3]. The office has not received a formal apology or satisfactory follow-up from the SHA, although the SHA claims it apologized directly to Morin at the time and initiated a critical incident review[3].
This case is part of a concerning pattern. It is the second such reported incident at the same hospital in two years, and the fourth brought to the Ombudsperson's office, which underscores ongoing systemic issues[1][2][3].
Dianne Lafond, the First Nations Health Ombudsperson, has emphasized that these patterns cannot be ignored and must end immediately. The office has expressed a desire to know how the Saskatchewan Health Authority will implement the new policy and ensure adherence.
The emotional scars left by this incident on Morin's family remain. Last August, Ruben St. Charles had his hair cut off after hip surgery at Royal University Hospital, an incident that is also part of the ongoing complaint process[1][2].
The SHA is being demanded to provide accountability by the First Nation Health Ombudsperson's office, as no formal apology or adequate follow-up has been provided to Morin's family[1][2].
[1] CBC News [2] Global News [3] Saskatoon StarPhoenix
- The concerns raised by the First Nations Health Ombudsperson extend beyond the incident involving Corina Morin, with a pattern of medical-conditions and cultural insensitivity surfacing within the health-and-wellness sector.
- While the Saskatchewan Health Authority has enacted the Indigenous Hair Cutting Policy, the office of the First Nations Health Ombudsperson remains unsatisfied, seeking clarification on how the policy will promote mental-health and cultural safety for patients.
- The Ombudsperson's office has noted news reports of related incidents in the health science field, expressing a need for the SHA to improve its health practices to address ongoing systemic issues and offer apologies for grievances such as those experienced by Corina Morin and her family.
