UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital cut 65-year-old Lakota man’s hair without permission, family says
A police investigation has been launched following allegations that staff members at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital cut the hair of a 65-year-old Lakota man without his consent.
The family of Arthur Janis, a regent of the University of Colorado and member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, claims that hospital staff not only violated his personal autonomy but also lied about the incident.
Hair holds significant cultural and spiritual importance for Native Americans, particularly for the Lakota people, for whom it is considered sacred.
According to Keith Janis, Arthur Janis' brother, each strand of hair represents an individual's power and serves as a memorial to loved ones. Keith Janis argues that the hospital staff neglected basic hygiene for his brother, who suffered a stroke while in their care, rendering him unable to groom or wash his own hair.
Hospital spokesperson Dan Weaver maintains that the hair trimming was necessary to address a medical concern. The care team believed there was a pressure ulcer at the back of Arthur Janis' head, and his matted hair made it difficult to access the area for treatment.
Weaver asserts that at no point, before cutting the hair, was the patient identified as having Native American ancestry or cultural significance.
Keith Janis disputes the hospital's claims, stating that his brother's hair was nearly waist-length in the back, despite not being uniform all around. He also criticizes the hospital for failing to provide basic hygiene care for Arthur Janis, emphasizing that their lack of attention reflects a lack of care overall.
In addition to the alleged misconduct, UCHealth has been accused of dishonesty by Nolbert Chavez, a regent of the University of Colorado.
Keith Janis (Facebook)
Chavez claims that UCHealth officials initially told the Board of Regents that they possessed a video showing Arthur Janis arriving at the hospital with short hair. However, they later changed their statement, asserting that the video depicted him leaving the hospital with long hair. Chavez notes that no such video was ever presented to the board, accusing UCHealth of lying and refusing to take responsibility for cutting off the majority of Janis' hair.
The incident raises concerns about the treatment of Native Americans and the erasure of their culture and history.
Chavez draws parallels to the practices of Native American boarding schools, where children were forcibly subjected to haircuts as a means of assimilation. He calls for policy changes to protect Native people and advocates for more diversity among the Board of Regents, who appoint UCHealth board members.
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Keith Janis has organized a march with members of the American Indian Movement and launched an online donation page to fund further investigation and potential litigation. The Aurora City Police Department has confirmed an active investigation into the incident following Keith Janis' report.
Meanwhile, Arthur Janis continues to receive treatment at UCHealth, but the family is actively seeking an alternative long-term care facility.