Chiefs of Ontario Stand with the Family of Heather Winterstein and Six Nations Ahead of Coroner’s Inquest

Press Release

Content Warning: This release discusses the death of a First Nation woman and references systemic racism in healthcare.

(March 25, 2026 – Toronto, Ont.) As the coroner’s inquest into the death of Heather Winterstein approaches, Chiefs of Ontario stands in solidarity with her family and Six Nations of the Grand River.

Heather Winterstein was a 24-year-old First Nations woman, a member of the Cayuga Nation with ties to Six Nations of the Grand River, who was living in St. Catharines when she died at the Marotta Family Hospital (formerly known as St. Catharines General Hospital) in 2021. Heather sought care for a severe backache on Dec. 9, 2021. She was discharged with only Tylenol. The following day, she returned to the hospital and collapsed in the waiting room. She later died.

More than four years later, there are still no answers for her friends or family. The inquest, scheduled to begin March 30, will examine the circumstances surrounding Heather’s death and consider recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.

“Heather’s death is a tragic reminder of the systemic racism First Nations people continue to face in healthcare,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict. “This process must carefully examine whether discrimination, whether overt or not, may have affected the care she received. Any issues that are uncovered by this inquest must be remedied to avoid any more sorrow and pain for our people. All First Nations patients deserve meaningful change and safe healthcare.”

For many First Nations peoples, this inquest represents more than a single case. It is a critical moment to examine how systemic racism, stigma and bias, continue to shape the experiences of First Nations patients within hospitals and emergency departments within Ontario’s healthcare system.

The upcoming inquest is an opportunity to examine the circumstances surrounding Heather’s death, pursue accountability and implement positive change within the system.

Heather’s death echoes other well documented cases that have drawn national attention to anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare, including the death of Joyce Echaquan in 2020. These tragedies have reinforced longstanding calls from First Nations Leadership, families, and advocates for culturally safe, trauma-informed, and equitable healthcare systems, including the full implementation of Joyce’s Principle and systemic reforms to address anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare.

Chiefs of Ontario emphasizes that First Nations patients must be able to seek medical care without fear of discrimination, dismissal, or harm. The organization will continue to monitor the inquest and stand with the Six Nations community while working alongside families, communities, health partners and all levels of government to ensure accountability and systemic change.

Chiefs of Ontario recognizes the many First Nations families across the region who continue to seek justice for their loved ones, including those currently navigating ongoing investigations and court proceedings, and acknowledges the broader pattern of violence and systemic neglect faced by First nations women, girls, and 2S+ people.

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The Chiefs of Ontario supports all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction, and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ChiefsOfOntario.

Media Contact:

Isak Vaillancourt

Communications Manager

Chiefs of Ontario

Telephone: 416-819-8184

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