SHA introduces policy to protect Indigenous hair traditions

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has introduced a new policy aimed at protecting the cultural and spiritual significance of hair for Indigenous patients in health-care settings.

In a newsletter sent to staff last Friday and obtained by CBC News, the SHA announced the Indigenous Hair Cutting Policy went into effect Aug. 1.

It requires health-care workers to get informed consent before cutting a patient's hair, and ensure the respectful handling and return of hair when cutting is necessary.

The new policy also clarifies that cutting hair is not a necessary treatment for lice and should only occur for medically urgent reasons, such as head injuries or surgeries.

"Hair is a symbol of Indigenous personhood and guides the quality of relationships and connection to self and community developed throughout an individual's life," the newsletter said. 

Consent, cultural safety at the forefront

Under the new policy, SHA staff must have conversations with patients and their families about the spiritual importance of hair before any cutting takes place. The policy applies to both non-emergency and emergency situations, ensuring that cultural and spiritual considerations are respected in every scenario.

"This policy reaffirms our commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action," said Jennifer Ahenakew, the SHA's vice-president of First Nations and Métis Health, in a memo to staff.

"It supports our work to advance a culturally responsive health-care environment that acknowledges and respects the spiritual and cultural significance of hair to many Indigenous peoples."

Bonnie Marwood, a former patient advocate for Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, said while the policy is a positive step, it also raises questions about why it took so long to formalize.

"I'm really pleased to see that that's happened and that they've gone to the effort to adhere to some of those calls to action. But then my next thought was, 'Why so long?'" she said.

Marwood recalled last fall's case of Ruben St. Charles, a patient at Saskatoon's Royal University Hospital.

St. Charles "had a broken hip. It had nothing to do with his hair — and they still felt it was necessary to cut it," she said. "We've never been told what happened to his hair."

In response to the incident, the SHA told CBC News at the time that it "extends its deepest apologies for this individual's experience," adding that it remains committed to learning from the experience.

Consequences for not following policy

Ahenakew emphasized in the memo that the policy is "grounded in shared responsibility" and that "all SHA team members have a role in fostering inclusive, respectful and culturally responsive health care."

SHA staff are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the policy as there will be consequences for those who don't follow it. Depending on the situation, the policy says it could lead to discipline under union agreements, contracts, or even termination of employment and staff privileges.

Marwood also pointed out, while the policy focuses on Indigenous cultural practices, the respectful treatment of hair matters to many people.

"It's also important to, let's say, our Sikh relatives," she noted. "[The SHA] made it Indigenous-slanted, but it's important to all citizens."

While she believes the policy is a step in the right direction, Marwood said she's cautiously optimistic.

"I think this is a part of SHA showing respect for their patients and I really hope that they take it and run with it," she said.

"Let's hope it's not tokenism."