Calls for 'Justice for Joyce' after Indigenous woman's death in Quebec hospital

During the last moments of her life, Joyce Echaquancalled out her husband's name:"Carol, come get me."

A live video was rolling on her phone as nurses entered her hospital room on Monday in Joliette, Que. One of them calledher "stupid as hell,"mocking Echaquanas she moaned in Atikamekw that she was being given too much medication.

The 37-year-old died shortly after.

Surrounded by family in hisparents' backyard the following day, Carol Dub could notcomprehend how his wife ended up dyingafter being admitted into hospital on Sunday with a stomach ache.

"I have seven kids who don't have a mother anymore,"Dubsobbed, his son's handon his shoulder.

Echaquan'ssister-in-law, Jemima Dub, said Echaquanhad posted several live videos during her stay in hospital, before the final oneon the day of her death, because she didn't trust the medical staff.

Echaquan's death has sparked renewed calls for the Quebec government to act on recommendations included in theViens Commission's report, which examined problems with Indigenous treatmentin public services, and wastabled on Sept. 30, 2019.

Vigils were swiftly organized on Tuesdayin Joliette, as well as in First Nations communities across Quebec, demanding "Justice for Joyce."

WATCH | Demands for change at Joyce Echaquan'svigil

Anger, shock and incomprehension after Joyce Echaquan's death

4 years ago

Duration 1:14

Demands for change at the vigil held outside the hospital where Joyce Echaquan was degraded and insulted by staff as she lay dying.

Seeing these events occur one year afterthe publication of thereport is a "sad coincidence,"saidCedric Gray-Lehoux, spokesperson for the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Youth Network.

"It's one thingto know[racism] exists it'sanother to see it be done so blatantly and with total disregard for the dignity of the person who is suffering," Gray-Lehoux said on CBC'sQuebec radio showBreakaway.

Premier denies systemic racism to blame

In his report, Justice Jacques Viensstatedthat Indigenous peoples in Quebec are victims of systemic discrimination when it comes to getting public services. He issued 142 calls to action to address the government's shortfalls, including in the health sector.

On Monday, Premier Franois Legault offered his condolences to Echaquan's family, confirminga coroner's investigation and that a workplaceinvestigation will be held.But Legaultstopped short ofsaying the incident reflected systemic racism.

"I really don't think that we have this way of dealing with First Nations people in our hospitals in Quebec," said Legault.

For Gray-Lehoux, denying the existence of racism within the public system despite a government report clearly stating the contrary"just makes it worse."

"How can we believe that they're going to take the steps to go forward, if they're not even willing to see the issues?"

The federal ministerof Crown-Indigenous Relations, Carolyn Bennett, called the video "gut-wrenching."

"If you can't utter the words systemic racism, then you're probably part of the problem," Bennett said on Tuesday, calling it "a terrible week for Canada."

Little advancement for Indigenous women

Testimonyat the Viens Commission highlighted discriminatory practices within hospitals and health-care services in Quebec.

Viensfound that "it is clear that prejudice toward Indigenous peoples remains widespread in the interaction between caregivers and patients."

Ghislain Picard, the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL), said the video Echaquan sharedleaves little room for interpretation.

"We recognize the filthy prejudices that continue to exist today, like the one that we don't pay for anything and live on government handouts," Pcardsaid.

Some of those prejudices can lead to dire consequences, Viens concluded, including individuals and families sometimes avoidingmedical care if they have had negative experiences in the past.

Adrienne Jrme, Chief of the Lac Simon First Nation and spokesperson for the AFNQL Council of Elected Women, said it is often women who end up being victims of systemicracism.

That includesthewomen who first spoke out publicly about allegations of mistreatmentby police officers in Val-d'Orin 2015, which led to the creation of the Viens Commission.

One year later, Jrme saidthe only action she'switnessed was apublic apology Franois Legault offeredto First Nations and Inuit peoples in October 2019.

"Except for apologies, has anything changed? Not really."

Quebec's minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs, Sylvie D'Amours, said on Tuesday that 51 of the 142 recommendations from the Viens report currently have an action plan.

"A call for action isn't that simple, it's a continuous process," D'Amours said during question period at the National Assembly, also offering her condolences to Echaquan's family.

For CarolDub, the only thinghe'll settle foris concrete change.

"What are we waiting for?" he asked. "More people, more victims?"