Review of elder's death set to begin
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Monday, September 5, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
An external investigation into the death of Aklavik elder Hugh Papik is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 30.
Dr. Marlyn Cook, a doctor and member of the Grand Rapids First Nations, will conduct the investigation, the GNWT announced Sept. 2.
Cook was also on the board of directors for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
Papik's family said staff at both the elders' home in Aklavik and the Aklavik health centre dismissed Papik's Aug. 3 stroke symptoms as drunkenness and didn't treat him.
Papik was declared brain dead after being medevaced to Inuvik and then to Yellowknife. He died on Aug. 15 after being taken off life support in Inuvik.
Both Papik's family and others said they believed racism played a role in the lack of care he received.
"I am confident in Dr. Cook's abilities to provide a complete and fair investigation," said Health Minister Glen Abernethy.
Cook's investigation aims to determine whether a critical incident took place in Papik's case and if so, to examine the contributing factors.
Cook will also make recommendations on how to prevent future incidents.
The investigation is scheduled to begin on Sept. 12 and the recommendations will be made public after a report is presented to Abernethy Nov. 30.
