A 36-year-old Flying Dust First Nation member, Chelsea Bear, died following complications during a twin birth in Saskatoon last month. Her famliy and the Meadow Lake Tribal Council are now alleging that systemic racism and inadequate medical care contributed to the fatal outcome.
The critical window between Meadow Lake and Saskatoon
Chelsea Bear, a 36-year-old mother from Flying Dust First Nation, experienced severe pain and bleeding on August 10 before being sent home from a Meadow Lake hospital. Her mother, Deb Bear , and other family members maintain that if she had received proper care during that initial visit, the subsequent complications might have been avoided. The medical crisis escalated on August 11 when Bear returned to the hospital with worsening symptoms, leading to a transfer to Saskatoon.
Upon arrival in Saskatoon, Bear suffered from hemorrhaging due to placental abruption. This resulted in the stillbirth of one twin and the birth of a second, very weak infant named Gracie, who remains in the neonatal intensive care unit. the family believes that the failure to intervene during the initial high-risk presentation in Meadow Lake was the primary driver of this tragedy.
Allegations of being told to 'keep quiet' by the SHA
Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) leaders claim that the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) attempted to suppress discussion of the tragedy . During a conference call , Tribal Chief Jeremy Norman and Vice-Chief Richard Derocher say an SHA representative suggested they remain silent because of the difficulty in recruiting doctors and workers to the region. Derocher noted that this request for silence "burnt me hard" and serves as a prime example of the systemic racism Indigenous people face when seeking equitable care.
The MLTC leaders emphasized that regardless of a person's status, everyone deserves fair and equitable treatment . They argue that asking First Nations people to remain silent about medical failures is a recurring pattern of discrimination that prevents true accountability in the provincial healthcare system.
A second maternal death in Saskatchewan this year
This tragedy is part of a troubling trend regarding maternal health in Saskatchewan. As reported by the source, this is the second case this year where an Indigenous family has spoken out about a mother dying during childbirth. In April, another mother passed away after being transferred from Rosthern to Saskatoon due to pre-eclampsia, though her baby survived.
Beyond these specific deaths , MLTC leaders have pointed to a two-decade decline in the quality of healthcare across the province, affecting everything from hospital services to long-term care. The council is now calling for a collaborative effort with the province to implement systemic changes and ensure that Indigenous patients do not face discrimination when seeking urgent medical help.
The missing response to the MLTC's allegations
While the Saskatchewan Health Authority issued a statement of condolence, they have yet to address the specific allegation that leaders were told to stay quiet. The SHA stated they have met with the MLTC and are waiting for family consent to discuss the specifics of Bear's case. It remains unverified whether the SHA representative actually made the comments described by Norman and Derocher, and the authority has not yet provided a timeline for when they will address the specific medical failures alleged by the Bear family.
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