RCMP investigating 2 switched-at-birth cases at Norway House hospital

The RCMPhave launched an investigation into two separate cases of babies being switched at birth at the Norway House Indian Hospital in northern Manitoba 41 years ago.

The police force announced the investigationon Friday into the two cases, which happened atthe federally run hospital in 1975.

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"TheRCMPhas an obligation to the families involved and to the public to determine if the incidents at the Norway House Indian Hospital were accidental or criminal in nature," the police force said in a statement.

NormanBarkman andLuke Moniaslearned last year that they had been raised by each other's parents, while LeonSwanson and DavidTait Jr. made the same discovery this year.

Swanson and Tait were born three days apart Swanson on Jan. 31, 1975, and Tait on Feb. 3, 1975 at the Norway House Indian Hospital.

Both men know each other and were raised and continue to live in Norway House, a remote community about 460 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

MoniasandBarkmanwere born at thesame hospital on June 19, 1975, and grew up as friends in the Garden Hill First Nation, also in northern Manitoba.

DNA tests confirmedthat in both casesthe men had been switched at birth.

Health Canada is conducting a separate investigation into the cases.

After Swanson and Tait came forward in August, the federal department said it wouldoffer free DNA tests to others who suspect they may have been switched at birth at the Norway House Indian Hospital.

Barkman, Monias, Swanson and Tait willmeet facetoface with federal Health Minister Jane Philpott to request funding for counselling and other support services.