Cree woman alleges racial discrimination in death of newborn daughter at Edmonton hospital

WARNING: This article describes the death of an infant in a health-care setting.

A Bigstone Cree Nation woman is alleging that both she and her now-deceased daughter were treated inhumanely while she was giving birth in an Edmonton hospital in June 2020.

Pearl Gambler alleges that she was mistreated at the Misericordia Community Hospital, including being left alone to give birth, delays in treatment, and that a hospital staff member referred to her dead infant daughter as "a specimen."

"My daughter should have not had to fight for her life because I'm Indigenous. She should have had fair treatment like anybody else that comes into that hospital," Gambler said at a news conference in Edmonton on Thursday.

Gambler was supported at the news conference by the chief of her First Nation, as well as Treaty 8 Grand Chief Arthur Noskey, both of whom are calling for accountability and reform.

Noskey made a number of calls for action, including a public inquiry into adverse health effects for Indigenous people and systemic discrimination in the healthcare system.

"What happened to Pearl and her daughter proves that Indigenous lives continue to be less important than others in Alberta's health care system. This has to change," Noskey said.

Gambler has also filed a statement of claim with the Court of King's Bench in Edmonton in June 2022 that was amended last month, claiming $1.3 million in damages.

The claim alleges that Gambler and her daughter Sakihitowin did not receive adequate medical care because of her race. 

Gambler's lawyer said anti-Indigenous racism happens in the healthcare system and that Gambler is sharing her story to help change that. 

None of the allegations in the statement of claim have been proven in court. The claim names Covenant Health and Gambler's obstetrician as defendants, though the doctor's name is redacted on the version provided to CBC.

In response to an interview request, Covenant Health spokesperson Karen Diaper said the health authority is reviewing the allegations.

"Covenant Health takes any and all complaints and concerns seriously, including allegations of racism and discrimination," she said in an email. "Racism and discrimination in all forms have no place within Covenant Health."

She added that due to privacy legislation, Covenant won't comment on a specific patient.