He was removed from his community for weeks for a psych evaluation. His family says there must be a better way

Gilles-Francis Pone Shecanapish’s experience of being flown 500 kilometres to a psych ward has left a lasting impact on the 40-year-old with severe intellectual disabilities and non-verbal communication abilities. While Pone himself may not be able to articulate his feelings about the ordeal, his sister Martha-Mary Shecanapish shared how the incident has affected their family.

Living in Kawawachikamach, a Naskapi community in northern Quebec near Labrador, Pone was separated from his parents for the first time due to an incident that led to assault charges in 2021. A judge ordered an evaluation at the hospital in Sept-Îles to assess if he posed a risk to the community. This decision prompted Martha-Mary to rally the community’s support through a petition that garnered nearly 500 signatures and a Facebook page with hundreds of followers advocating for Pone’s return home.

After spending several weeks away for evaluation and a tribunal hearing, Pone finally returned home in late November. Martha-Mary emphasized the need for better resources and support for adults with disabilities to prevent such traumatic separations from their families and communities, especially in Indigenous settings like theirs.

Pone, who has the mental capacity of a three-year-old, was deeply affected by the experience of being away from his parents, who are his primary caregivers. The incident at the local store that led to the legal proceedings left the family scared and traumatized, highlighting the lack of proper support systems for adults with disabilities once they age out of the school system.

Marie-Andrée Caron, Pone’s lawyer, explained that the provincial commission for mental health conditions would determine if Pone was unfit to stand trial due to his mental state and assess any risks he might pose to public safety. The family advocated for alternative solutions that would allow individuals with disabilities to remain in their homes and communities with proper care and support.

During Pone’s absence, messages of support flooded in from the community, with letters from the chiefs of Kawawachikamach and neighboring Innu communities affirming his value and importance to the town. The outpouring of support underscored the community’s belief that Pone was not a danger and should not have been forcibly removed.

Disability rights advocate Steven Laperrière emphasized the importance of prioritizing an individual’s security and proper care before considering removing them from their community. He stressed the need for better coordination and support systems to ensure that individuals with disabilities can remain with their families and receive the necessary care without being separated.

The challenges faced by the local clinic and hospital in providing adequate services for individuals like Pone were attributed to underfunding and staffing shortages. While efforts are being made to improve services, the need for accessible psychiatric assessments and specialized care in remote areas remains a significant challenge.

In conclusion, Pone’s experience sheds light on the gaps in support systems for adults with disabilities, particularly in Indigenous communities. The incident has sparked conversations about the need for better resources, coordination, and advocacy to ensure that individuals like Pone can receive the care they need while remaining connected to their families and communities.