This ambulance, seen in a video on Sonny Strawberrii's Facebook page, was passing Strawberrii by on July 4. When Strawberrii said he needed help, the driver said the ambulance was out of service.

By Josh Hall and Sheldon Spackman

investigation underway

First Nations and town council seek accountability for local family

Jul 9, 2021 | 6:21 PM

A man from O’Chiese First Nation says he was discriminated against while trying to get help for his ailing mother on the side of the road.

Sonny Strawberrii, the Town of Rocky Mountain House, as well as Sunchild and O’Chiese First Nations say it’s a case of systemic racism, but the contracted EMS provider claims there’s a reasonable, though unfortunate explanation.

Strawberrii was driving near O’Chiese on July 4 when he pulled over because it appeared his mother was having a heart attack.

In a public video on his Facebook page, which we’re not including in the story due to harsh language, a passing ambulance pulls up and he asks the driver for help.

The driver can be heard saying the ambulance is out of service.

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In distress and angry, Strawberrii begins to leave when a second ambulance arrives. It isn’t clear if the second ambulance was called by Strawberrii or the other ambulance or was simply passing by.

In a statement, Lakeside EMS says it has viewed the video and offers its sincerest apologies to Strawberrii’s family for the miscommunications during the rapidly unfolding medical situation.

“The paramedic in the first encounter was returning an ambulance following repairs. The ambulance was not equipped with all its medical equipment or medications and was due to be restocked,” they explain. “When the paramedic referenced the ambulance as ‘out of service,’ that is what was being referred to.”

The statement continues, noting the ambulance driver honked at Strawberrii and tried telling him to hang on. When Strawberrii encountered the second ambulance and asked for help, the paramedic asked what was going on and indicated he’d pull over.

Due to the position of Strawberrii’s mother inside the car, she was not visible to either of the two paramedics, who believed Strawberrii was referring to someone at a nearby residence, Lakeside’s explanation continues.

Lakeside says it is reaching out to the family and members of O’Chiese.

In a joint statement with the Town of Rocky Mountain House and Sunchild First Nation, O’Chiese Chief Douglas Beaverbones says, “It’s time we open our eyes and deal with racism in Rocky. The three Nations and Town of Rocky leadership are teaming up to deal with the issues the nations are facing.”

“We understand we will not be able to move our community forward as long as our Indigenous residents and neighbours are discriminated against,” says Mayor Tammy Burke. “We recognize our important role as allies in working with and for our First Nation partners in eradicating racism at all levels.”

The Town and First Nations are now demanding a meeting with Alberta Health Services and Health Minister Tyler Shandro, seeking accountability for Strawberrii’s treatment.

They also note that in collaboration with Big Horn First Nation, elected council members from each community have established an anti-racism task force which looks to focus on Treaty relations, racism education and cultural awareness.

O’Chiese First Nation Chief Douglas Beaverbones, Rocky Mountain House Mayor Tammy Burke and Sunchild Frist Nation Chief Jonathan Frencheater and councillors outside the Rocky Mountain House Town Office on July 7, 2021. (Photo by Marina Kulich | Town of Rocky Mountain House)

Following the ambulance encounter, Strawberrii was able to get his mother to the Rocky Mountain House Health Centre.

While there, Strawberrii attempted to visit a cousin in acute care, but was confronted by security who questioned him about having drugs and/or alcohol on the premises.

In a separate video, Strawberrii is seen outside the hospital talking to a security guard who wouldn’t say why staff believed that, but claims it had nothing to do with Strawberrii being Indigenous.

rdnewsNOW reached out to Strawberrii, but did not hear back.

Alberta Health Services says it has enacted a formal investigation into Strawberrii’s treatment at the hospital.

AHS says it knows its relationships with First Nations, Metis and Inuit people in Albertan must continue to improve.

“We are committed to supporting our patients and workforce who’ve witnessed or experienced racism and discrimination,” a statement reads. “We will be working with the O’Chiese First Nation, Sunchild First Nation, Big Horn First Nation and Town of Rocky Mountain House as part of our efforts to become a healthcare organization that is inclusive, respectful and treats everyone with fairness, equity and equality regardless of race.”

It adds that Janice Stewart, the Chief Zone Officer, spoke with Mayor Burke on Friday about the concerns.

In another statement, the press secretary for Health Minister Tyler Shandro says the minister takes any suggestion of racism extremely seriously.

“It has no place in our province, let alone in health care. The Minister is meeting later this month with the Sunchild and O’Chiese First Nations, and the mayor of Rocky Mountain House,” says Steve Buick.

“The Minister respects our EMS personnel and everyone who works in the health system. He wants to hear firsthand from all parties to see how he can help build trust between all our health care providers and communities.”