Indianz.Com > News > Swine flu probe links nurse to body bags

Swine flu probe links nurse to body bags
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Filed Under: First Nations | Health

A report from Health Canada appears to clear the government of wrongdoing for sending body bags to the Wasagamack First Nation in Manitoba.

The report said a nurse on the reserve ordered 100 body bags as part of a routine request for supplies. Health Canada shipped 38 body bags to the reserve, along with supplies meant to combat the spread of the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu.

Native leaders were outraged by the incident, saying Health Canada appeared to be sending a grim message about the flu. But the report said that wasn't the case.

"It was a clear overestimation and no evidence of ill will or deliberate calculation," Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq, who is Inuit, said at a press conference, CBC News reported.

Health Canada said nurses from other reserves in Manitoba ordered body bags but that those shipments had yet to be fulfilled. David Harper, Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, disputed the report and said at least one other First Nation received body bags.

"Nobody's blown this thing out of proportion," Harper told CBC News. "It happened. We're still asking for [swine flu] resources. We're still being denied those resources."

Get the Story:
Body bag probe found no 'ill will': Aglukkaq (CBC 10/7)
Reserve ordered 100 body bags (The National Post 10/8)

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