Childhood Friends Discover They Were Switched at Birth 40 Years Ago

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Canadian childhood friends, Luke Monias and Norman Barkman, fought back tears on Friday as they tried to come to terms with news that they were switched at birth 40 years ago in government run hospital in northern Manitoba. They have now called upon the federal government to launch an investigation into how the hospital error occurred.

Monias said, “I would like some answers for me and my family. The good is that now I know the truth.”

According to CBCNews, Monias and Barkman were born on June 19, 1975, at the federally run Norway House Indian Hospital and grew up as close friends in Garden Hill First Nation, a northern fly-in community. The men always felt as if they belonged in each other’s families, and many people commented on how much more they resembled each other’s families, rather than their own. Their suspicions eventually drove them to have DNA tests which confirmed their worst suspicions.

“I didn’t believe it until I saw the paper [document] and that’s when it hit me the most,” Barkman said.

In a statement sent to CBC News, Health Minister, Dr. Jane Philpott, said, “I have asked my department officials to look into the matter immediately and to reach out to the families involved. I can assure Canadians that Health Canada will look into the concerns that have been raised by Mr. Barkman and Mr. Monias.”

Eric Robinson, Manitoba’s aboriginal and northern affairs minister, said the two men’s situation is “a case of stolen identity of two innocent children,” adding that, “I’ve heard of a lot of stories in my lifetime, but I’ve never heard of anything like this occurring. The mental, physical and the spiritual well-being of both men has been deeply affected by the loss of their proper identity, and the effects upon their immediate and extended families is just as serious.”

Robinson said Barkman’s biological mother is deceased but Monias’ biological mother, Rebecca Barkman, is alive and took part in the DNA tests. He added that Monias has children whom he hasn’t yet told.

He also noted that, “The healing process is now just beginning and it’s going to take some time in order for that to take its course.”