Saskatchewan Health Authority announces new Indigenous hair consent policy

Toward the end of 2024, a Metis man, Ruben St. Charles, went to the hospital to get hip surgery. While in surgery a staff member cut St. Charles’ hair without his consent, a ponytail that he had been growing out for more than 30 years.

St. Charles woke up shocked and upset when he realized his hair had been thrown away. Now, months later, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has released a new policy stating that consent is needed before cutting an Indigenous person’s hair.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time this has happened. Just last year in Edmonton, an Indigenous man from Pasqua First Nation had his hair cut off and thrown into the garbage while at the hospital. In 2022, a young Indigenous boy also had his hair cut off while at a daycare in Saskatoon.

Metis Nation Sas