Aboriginal group blames RCMP for death of Manitoba woman in police custody

WINNIPEG – Manitoba aboriginal leaders are blaming the RCMP for the death of a woman from Gods Lake First Nation.

Gods Lake councillor Hubert Watt says the Mounties ignored pleas for medical attention from Tracy Okemow (OH’-kee-mow) until it was too late.

Okemow, who was 31, was taken into custody Nov. 28 on an intoxication complaint.

RCMP say she was taken to a nursing station, released into police custody and then complained about feeling unwell.

The next day, she was taken back to the nursing station and flown to hospital in Winnipeg, where she later died.

Aboriginal leaders and family members say RCMP and staff at the nursing station were too slow to get Okemow medical attention.

The matter is already being reviewed by the RCMP.