Six Nations council joins call for coroner’s inquest into Indigenous woman’s death
There are growing calls for a coroner’s inquest into the death of a 24-year-old Indigenous woman who died less than 48 hours after visiting a St. Catharines, Ont., emergency room.
Heather Winterstein’s mother says her daughter’s death was preventable and says hospital staff dismissed her calls for help because she was Indigenous. Now, the elected council of Six Nations of the Grand River – where Winterstein had family ties – is demanding the inquest happen as soon as possible.
Francine Shimzu said her daughter went to the emergency room at St. Catharines General Hospital on Dec. 9 for a back ache.
Hospital staff gave her Tylenol and Advil and sent her home at night on a city bus, she said.
At the time, Winterstein “told her dad that she felt she was feeling dismissed,” said Shimzu.
When Winterstein was still feeling unwell the next morning, her father called an ambulance to take her back to the hospital.
“She was sent out into the waiting room in a wheelchair,” said Shimzu. “She was there for three hours in the waiting area and she collapsed. She never regained consciousness and died in the ICU.”
Her family was told she died from a Strep A blood infection – the same bacteria that causes strep throat.
“When I found out how treatable this was, I felt very betrayed,” said Shimzu, who is a registered nurse.
Shimzu believes Winterstein would still be alive today had she received blood work to detect the infection and been given antibiotics during her initial hospital visit. The fact her daughter was Indigenous and experienced drug addiction played a role in the lack of care she received, said Shimzu.
A round dance held on March 18, 2022 in St. Catharine's in honour of Heather Winterstein. (Submitted)
CALLS FOR A CORONER’S INQUEST
Shimzu wants a coroner's inquest to ensure what she experienced doesn’t happen to another family.
“I would hate for another mother to be surprised like this. To be getting up and going to work and having to miss work because you have to go to the ICU and watch your daughter die,” said Shimzu. “I would never wish that on anybody, even my worst enemy I would never want that. It's not fair.”
Indigenous leaders are supporting the family’s call for an immediate coroner’s inquest, arguing Winterstein’s case highlights why so many in their community don’t trust Canada’s health-care system.
“It's viewed as, and our people see it as, systemic racism,” said Six Nations of the Grand River Chief Mark Hill.
Hill said changes are needed to ensure Indigenous people can access the care they need.
“It doesn't matter your race, religion, culture, where you come from, if you're sick you’re sick,” he said. “And if you need assistance that should take place right away.”
RESPONSE FROM HOSPITAL
In a statement issued Thursday, the president and CEO of Niagara Health, Lynn Guerriero, said the organization has conducted an internal review which “identified some opportunities for improvement.”
“We support the efforts of Six Nations of the Grand River to improve Indigenous people’s access to health-care,” Guerriero said.
“We are looking at how our emergency department functions based on best practices and the ways we identify and support members of equity-deserving groups such as Indigenous patients,” she said.
Guerriero said a coroner’s investigation into this is underway, and Niagara Health is fully cooperating.
The Office of the Chief Coroner confirms it is investigating Winterstein's death. Investigations can take up to nine months. No decision has been made yet in regards to an inquest.
‘I’M NOT GOING TO LET THIS GO’
On Friday, a round dance was held in Winterstein’s honour at the St. Catharines Farmer’s Market.
Her mother remembers her as a young woman who loved animals and art and wanted to be a nurse.
“She was just wonderful and I miss her so much,” said Shimzu.
“I’m not going to let this go,” she said. “I’m not going to allow this to be swept under the rug and have more Indigenous youth pass away from something so simple, so unnecessary and so tragic.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lanny McDonald and a few old Flames take the Stanley Cup on a surprise visit to the man who saved his life
The Stanley Cup was passing through town Friday, and Lanny Legend took it upon himself to take it for a surprise visit.
Bathroom break nearly derails $22 million project at city council meeting
A brief break during Wednesday's city council meeting in Saskatoon nearly cost the city dearly.
Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriend’s two children in jury decision
Jurors resumed deliberations Saturday on whether a man should be sentenced to death after being convicted days earlier of the murders of his wife and his girlfriend’s two youngest children in Idaho.
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Father who killed one-year-old son with axe may be allowed to travel in southwestern Ontario
A Mennonite father who killed his one-year-old son with an axe may be allowed to travel to parts of southern Ontario in the coming months
'It feels like freedom': Why some Albertans like going nude in nature
Few people can say they accidentally purchased a nude beach — but Shelley can. When she saw a piece of land she could fondly remember camping on was up for sale, she inquired about it and ended up purchasing it. She soon found that there were already inhabitants on it.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
China lands spacecraft on the moon amid growing space rivalry with U.S.
A Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon Sunday to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side.
Pedestrian dies after being hit by train in Brockville, Ont.
Brockville Police says a pedestrian has died following a collision with a train that was heading to Toronto.