Do They Make Body Bags for Dead Narratives?

You no doubt recall the great kerfuffle surrounding the shipment of body bags sent to a reserve in northern Manitoba. If not, here's a reminder: 

Aboriginal leaders in Manitoba are horrified that some of the reserves hardest hit by swine flu in the spring have received dozens of body bags from Health Canada.

The body bags — which were sent to the remote northern reserves of Wasagamack and God's River First Nation — came in a shipment of hand sanitizers and face masks.

Grand Chief David Harper, who represents northern First Nations, says body bags send the wrong message and no one can understand why Ottawa would do such a thing.

"It really makes me wonder if health officials know something we don't," he said. "I have a right to speak for my people. I make a plea to the people of Canada to work with us to ensure the lowest fatalities from this monster virus. Don't send us body bags. Help us organize; send us medicine."

 

That was the narrative last month. Turns out the narrative was bogus. Here's why the body bags were sent - because there were requested (emphasis added): 

Despite speculation that Health Canada ordered a controversial shipment of body bags to Manitoba's Wasagamack First Nation, the delivery was requested by the community's nursing station in preparation for a possible second wave of H1N1 pandemic, according to a much-anticipated report released yesterday by the Deputy Minister of Health.

Health Canada previously admitted it had "erred" in sending the body bags, but the report said it was Wasagamack's nurse-in-charge who ordered 100 body bags on Aug. 12.

(...)

"The person who placed the order made a bit of an error in requesting so much," echoed Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs.

"Had this person consulted with community leadership, the chief would have known that this sort of shipment would frighten people. This shows the need for better communication across all parties, including Health Canada."

The comments from Chief Evans is interesting since he wasn't sounding so concilatory last month: 

"It's frightening our people. It's frightening me as leader. It's frightening me as a grandfather, father, and that's not what we want," said Grand Chief Ron Evans. "[Health Canada officials] have to understand that. We care for our people, love our families, children, grandchildren, and we want to make sure when a pandemic hits, there's medicine for them and people to look after them."

More from Jonathan Kay and Dust My Broom.