Day 3 strips everything down.
No more hypotheticals. No more distance. No more systems speaking in the abstract.
Dr. Emad Nour sat across from Heather Winterstein. He Assessed her. He made decisions about her care. He documented those decisions. And then, under oath, he explained them.
That is what this day is about.
And what emerges is not confusion.
It is clarity. About what Dr. Nour saw, what he chose not to pursue, and what he continues to stand behind.
Heather was in front of him, describing days of worsening pain. Not improving. Worse. She had not been eating. Not been drinking. Her body was telling a story that had been building. Her story was not heard.
He could not explain it.
He says this plainly. He did not know what was wrong. He could not identify a cause. He could not find a pathology that fit.
So instead of investigating further, he redefined the problem.
“Social issues.”
He is careful with the language. He explains that it is not a diagnosis, only a working label. A placeholder. A way to account for symptoms that do not fit neatly into a medical box.
But that label did something.
It shifted the frame.
Because once a patient’s symptoms are understood through that lens, the urgency changes. The response changes. The threshold for action changes.
And in Heather’s case, it meant this:
No blood work.
No further investigation.
No escalation.
Dr. Nour says infection was on his mind.
That he considered it.
That he looked for it.
And did not find it.
No fever.
No obvious source.
So he stopped there.
Dr. Nour was asked directly about blood work.
He had the authority to order it.
He chose not to.
Not because he couldn’t. Because he decided it wasn’t necessary.
He says medicine does not work on “random investigation.” That tests require justification. That there must be something concrete to pursue.
But he had already told the court something else.
He did not know what was wrong.
Dr. Nour could not see Heather clearly.
She was wearing a mask. A hood. Parts of her body were not examined. Other parts were assessed by assumption.
And still, he concluded.
When counsel walks Dr. Nour through his notes, the certainty begins to shift.
A late entry, written days after Heather’s death. From memory. Without the chart.
New details appear.
Negative findings that were not documented at the time.
An examination expanded after the fact.
Then another note.
This time, she is recorded as denying pain in her extremities.
But in his testimony, she had pain in her right leg.
Dr. Nour is confronted with it.
He cannot explain it.
It may be a mistake.
He is not sure.
Dr. Nour describes Heather as cooperative.
Pleasant.
Agreeable.
She did not push. Did not argue. Did not demand more.
And so the interaction moves forward on his terms.
Dr. Nour explains the plan he gave her.
Go home.
Rest.
Take Tylenol.
Drink fluids.
Come back if things get worse.
If you develop a fever.
He returns to that again and again.
Fever is the signal.
Fever is what matters.
Fever is what would have changed things.
But infection does not always wait for permission to be visible.
He is asked the question that matters.
Would you do anything differently?
He has had time. He has reviewed the case. He has read. Reflected. Replayed it.
His answer is not hesitant.
Dr Nour says “no.”
With the same information, he would make the same decisions.
And then, something else.
Dr. Nour describes the outcome as “unfortunate.”
He speaks about how physicians carry cases like this.
How they replay them.
How they live with them.
But when it comes to the decisions themselves, there is no shift.
No reconsideration of the approach.
No indication that something in the way Heather was assessed, understood, or dismissed might need to change.
Heather was not abstract.
She was not a case study. This is not Medical school. No one is there is listen and correct.
She was a young Indigenous woman, in distress, asking for help, describing symptoms that did not resolve, that did not improve, that were getting worse.
She did not meet the criteria.
So she did not receive the care.
This is not about whether he followed a process.
He did.
This is not about whether he can explain his decisions.
He can.
This is about what those decisions were.
And what they were not.
A patient says something is wrong.
A physician cannot explain it.
Chooses not to investigate further.
Applies a label that lowers urgency.
Sends her home.
Stands by it.
If this is acceptable practice,
if this is defensible care,
if this is what clinical judgment looks like when it is working exactly as intended,
then the question is no longer about one doctor.
It is about how many times this has already happened,
and how many times it will again.
Presented by Samantha Doxtater
Presented by GRANDMA RENEE
In a world seeking direction, Indigenous teachings offer clear and enduring policies for how to live in harmony with one another and the Earth. This workshop invites participants to explore the profound lessons of the Two Row Wampum Belt and other wampum belts as frameworks for mutual respect, environmental care, and collective well-being. These belts, created long before colonization, embody ancestral agreements that guide humanity on how to coexist with honor, dignity, and reciprocity.
Led by Grandmother Renee, this session emphasizes the importance of relearning and honoring the policies established by our ancestors, rather than creating new paths disconnected from this wisdom. Through the teachings of the belts, participants will uncover the principles of self-care, stewardship of the land, and respect for all beings. This is not about inventing something new—it is about rediscovering the instructions that were always there and committing to uphold them.
Key Takeaways:
Through this workshop, participants will be reminded that the wisdom of the belts is not only a guide for Indigenous communities but a path for all of humanity to walk together in respect and care for one another and the Earth.
Presented by Grandma Gail and Angela DeMontigny
Ceremony is more than tradition—it is a deliberate practice rooted in wisdom, responsibility, and foresight. This workshop explores the “science of ceremony” as a guide to living with intention and accountability for the next seven generations. Our ancestors used ceremony to prepare for the future, ensuring that their actions would benefit not only their own time but also those yet to come. Now, it is our responsibility to carry that practice forward.
Led by Grandmother Gail, this session will examine what has been lost and the actions we must take to restore, respect, and reclaim the ceremonial practices that ensure the well-being of future generations. Participants will be encouraged to reconnect with ceremony as a means of healing, reflection, and renewal, building a foundation of responsibility to guide us in restoring balance and harmony.
Key Takeaways:
Through this workshop, participants will rediscover the transformative power of ceremony as a pathway to healing, accountability, and preparation for a sustainable and harmonious future. Together, we will reaffirm our responsibility to the generations to come.
Presented by Asha Frost
Join Asha Frost, an Indigenous healer, teacher, and bestselling author, for a transformative workshop rooted in traditional teachings and the power of self-discovery. Asha’s work often centers on reconnecting with ancestral wisdom, embracing one’s authentic self, and creating pathways for healing and empowerment. Drawing from her Anishinaabe roots, she weaves stories, teachings, and practical tools to inspire participants to reclaim their power and align with their purpose.
Through her signature blend of traditional healing practices and modern insights, Asha guides participants in understanding how to honor their own journey, navigate challenges with resilience, and embrace the interconnectedness of all beings. This workshop is an invitation to explore the sacred within and around us, fostering personal growth and collective transformation.
Key Takeaways:
Whether you are seeking personal healing, professional inspiration, or a deeper connection to traditional wisdom, this session with Asha Frost promises to be a profound and enriching experience.
Presented by Allen Sutherland
The Seven Fires prophecy, as shared by seven prophets across different time periods, offers profound guidance for humanity’s path forward. According to Anishinaabe oral tradition, these teachings speak to the choices we face when the world has been polluted, and the waters turned bitter by disrespect. The prophecy teaches that humanity must choose between materialism and spirituality—one path leading to survival and the other to destruction.
In this workshop, Mishoomis Allen will guide participants through the teachings of the Seven Fires prophecy, exploring its relevance in today’s world and its call for spiritual renewal. Additionally, he will share his Canadian Indigenous Historical Timeline, providing a broader context for understanding the cultural, social, and spiritual significance of these teachings.
Key Takeaways:
This workshop offers an opportunity to reflect deeply on humanity’s collective responsibility and the transformative power of choosing a spiritual path for the survival of future generations.
Presented by Thohahoken Michael Doxtater
In this session, Thohahoken Michael Doxtater explores the ongoing impact of Canada’s colonial policies on Indigenous communities and the historical journey toward Truth and Reconciliation. He examines the systemic attempts to erase Indigenous identity, from residential schools to the suppression of cultural practices, and highlights Indigenous resilience and legal resistance. The presentation also delves into the concept of the “Canada Rafter,” a historical agreement acknowledging Canada’s adoption into the Indigenous Longhouse, raising the question: Has Canada truly upheld its responsibilities in this relationship?
