Two Northern Manitoba men have confirmed their suspicions that they were switched at birth.  

Luke Monias and Norman Barkman were born in Norway House Indian Hospital on June 19, 1975. The two boys grew up as close friends in Garden Hill First Nation. As they grew older, many people noticed that they resemble each other’s family members more than their own.

During a press conference today, the province’s Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson said Luke contacted him earlier in the year about the possibility that him and Norman were switched at birth.

DNA testing was conducted, and confirmed Norman’s mother, Rebecca Barkman, is Luke’s biological mother, not Norman’s.

The Manitoba government is now calling on the federal government to investigate how the two men were switched at the federally run hospital.

Norman Barkman (left) and Luke Monias during a press conference today.

(Photo courtesy the Canadian Press)