The Morley community is in shock and mourning following the death of an infant yesterday in a home on the Stoney Nakoda reserve while multiple agencies pursue an investigation in the case.
The Morley community is in shock and mourning following the death of an infant yesterday in a home on the Stoney Nakoda reserve while multiple agencies pursue an investigation in the case.
Thirteen children and one young adult were rushed to the hospital yesterday after EMS responded to a call at 11:45 a.m. stating two children were in medical distress at a residence along Spring Road.
RCMP confirmed a four-month-old baby girl was found dead at the scene. An autopsy has been scheduled for tomorrow in Calgary.
The other child, described as a two-year-old girl, was immediately rushed to the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary where she remains in serious but stable condition.
RCMP said two adult siblings of the deceased have been released from hospital. Ten others remain at hospital in stable condition.
Those involved in the medical distress call from the Stoney reserve west of Cochrane, ranging in age from toddler to young adults, were presenting similar "flu-like" and Alberta Health Services has confirmed there is no risk to public safety in relation to their conditions.
"In short, it's a tragedy everybody is feeling the impact. It's hit everybody really hard," said Rob Lahache, Wesley Nation CEO. "We have received numerous calls and messages of support and condolences and well wishes and prayers for the family and I'd like to say thank you to all of those who have reached out."
Lahache said an investigation will be launched through Child and Family Services as well as Health Canada.
"Wesley Chief and Council and the rest of administrative staff along with STA (Stoney Tribal Administration) are 100 per cent in cooperation and support of that effort," Lahache said.
Jenny Clarke, a Morley resident who also knows of a mother involved, said she was saddened by the news and is grieving for the family.
"It has been very heartbreaking. I even shed tears when I heard it was a baby. Four months old, didn't even get a chance to live. Gone like that," Clarke said, adding that she feels there is a lack of support for young mothers in the community.
"For that baby to pass away like that, it makes one wonder what is happening out there with all of these helping programs, why is this happening?" Clark said. "I cannot say they are uncaring mothers. They do care. They are caring mothers. Somewhere, something was missed out as they were growing up. And now they're grown up and are parents themselves and are probably just doing what they lived through as kids."
Clarke said she was upset to hear the possibility of a criminal investigation being launched.
"Everybody was sick there, what kind of criminal investigation is it? That that would be the first thing they jump to with, I'm sure, a grieving mom. I don't care what kind of a mom she is, any mom loves their kids, nobody can tell me otherwise."
Chief Ernest Wesley of the Wesley First Nation expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support the community has received from both the other two Stoney Nakoda First Nations - Bearspaw and Chiniki - as well as Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Chief Perry Bellegarde, AFN Regional Chief Marlene Poitras, and the governments of Alberta and Canada.
"A more comprehensive and meaningful dialogue must take place on a Nation-to-Nation level in order to improve the health and well-being of our Nation's people and improve the lives of all indigenous citizens in this country we call Canada.
"The federal and provincial governments in this country must uphold the TRC's (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) 94 calls to action, Section 25 of the Constitution Act of Canada 1982 ans the articles under United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples)," Wesley said.
Multiple ambulances, including six from Calgary, were called to assist in transporting the victims of the unknown medical illness yesterday.
Premiere Rachel Notley expressed her condolences over Twitter this afternoon.
"My heart breaks for the tragic loss of the young child and the suffering of the 14 other children in Stoney First Nation," she said in a tweet. "As we continue to monitor the situation, our thoughts are with the family, community and front-line workers."
The Department of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) said they have reached out to community health officials to offer support as needed, including mental health supports, and are also working with provincial counterparts.
"Our thoughts are with the family and the community of Stoney Nakoda at this tragic time," said Stephanie Palma, media relations with ISC.
Minister of Indigenous Services, Jane Philpott, also spoke with Chief Leslie of Wesley First Nation of the Stoney Nakoda Nation this afternoon to express her condolences and concern.
