A 16-year-old from Pimicikamak Cree Nation says a hotel attached to Manitoba’s largest hospital kicked him out even though he wasn’t able to walk following a recent leg surgery.

Nicholas Robinson was waiting for a follow-up medical appointment when he and his mother were forced out by Canad Inns hotel staff Tuesday, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO) said.

“They came at me and [were] pulling my pillows and trying to get me off the bed while I was in pain,” the 16-year-old said at a news conference Wednesday.

“I told [staff] I could do it myself, but he didn’t give us enough time. I didn’t even have enough time to get my shoes. I’m still shoeless.”

Nicholas underwent a leg surgery Friday at Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre Friday, MKO said. He spent two nights there before booking a stay at the hotel through supports provided by the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), the organization said.

MKO said the removal happened as Nicholas’s family was waiting for FNIHB to confirm approval of an extended stay at the hotel, saying they faced an administrative delay that was entirely outside their control.

“They could have waited for, like, the fax papers, for us to get extended,” Nicholas’s mother, Jodie Robinson, said. “I was like the next caller waiting to get approved. Just took the phone from me and hung up.”

The family provided video posted on social media showing someone at the hotel room — who was at times yelling — telling them they were past the checkout time. The man told them they would not be allowed to stay unless they made a deposit.

A separate video showed people wearing security guard uniforms standing by the room’s doorway.

Pimicikamak’s leadership called for an investigation into the incident.

“This young man has just come out of surgery and he was … in a wheelchair, with stitches running from his knee down to his ankle,” Pimicikamak Coun. Shirley Robinson said at Wednesday’s news conference.

He was “trying to recover and regain his strength. And instead of being met with care and basic human respect, they were met with hostility.”

Canad Inns says it’s reviewing incident

Canad Inns said in a statement it’s aware of a video circulating on social media showing an interaction between staff at guests at the hotel.

It said it’s currently reviewing the incident, security reports and available footage, “to better understand the full context of what occurred.”

“We take concerns involving our guests very seriously,” the statement said.

“Our Health Sciences Centre property regularly accommodates patients and families travelling to Winnipeg for medical care, and we recognize that these situations require compassion, patience, and understanding.”

Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara said the department has offered support to the family, and it’s directed Shared Health to get a better understanding as to what took place and how to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Shared Health said it can’t comment on specific patient cases because of privacy laws.

Indigenous Services Canada, which oversees the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, did not respond to a request for comment before publication.