NOHT-ÉSON Reaffirms Commitment to Indigenous Health as Heather Winterstein Inquest Begins
St. Catharines, ON – The Niagara Ontario Health Team – Équipe Santé Ontario Niagara (NOHT-ÉSON) acknowledges that the coroner’s inquest into the death of Heather Winterstein is now underway. The inquest is expected to provide an important opportunity to examine the circumstances surrounding Heather’s death, identify systemic issues that may have contributed to it, and inform recommendations that can help improve care, support Indigenous health, and address anti-Indigenous racism across the health care system.
Heather, a 24-year-old First Nations woman from the Cayuga Nation with ties to Six Nations of the Grand River, went to hospital in St. Catharines on December 9, 2021, with severe back pain. She returned on December 10, 2021, and later died in hospital.
The NOHT-ÉSON recognizes the profound impact of this loss on Heather’s family, Indigenous communities, and all those committed to advancing safer, more equitable care. The network remains committed to listening and learning from the inquest proceedings and from any recommendations that may emerge.
As a partnership focused on improving integrated care across Niagara, the NOHT-ÉSON will consider the findings carefully for their relevance to care coordination, system navigation, Indigenous health, and efforts to address anti-Indigenous racism in health and social care.
The NOHT-ÉSON has previously affirmed its commitment to Indigenous health, equity, reconciliation, and culturally safer care. That commitment remains unchanged.
The network will continue to work in allyship with Indigenous partners and communities, and with health and social care organizations across Niagara, to support meaningful system improvement and help ensure Indigenous voices remain a priority in care planning and delivery.
The NOHT-ÉSON acknowledges the sensitivity of the inquest process and extends its respect to Heather Winterstein’s family, loved ones, and all those participating in the proceedings.
