Atikamekw leaders press Quebec premier for changes in wake of Joyce Echaquan's death

Constant Awashish, grand chief of the AtikamekwNation, said Monday he is hopefulQuebec Premier Franois Legault is committed to endingthe kind of racism on display in a video that captured hospital staff hurling insults at Joyce Echaquan in the hours before her death.

"I'm optimistic but I'm still waiting for results," he told reporters after meeting withLegault.

"He was listening. I don't know if he [understood] everything, but I know he was listening."

Awashish attended the meetingwith Legault alongsidePaul-mile Ottawa, chief of the Manawan community, Jean-Claude Mquish, chief of the Opitciwan community and Franois Neashit,leader of the Wemotaci community.

He said Legault told him "call me personally" if things don't move quickly,and that Atikamekw leaders will meet with provincial officials steadily in the coming months.

WATCH l Constant Awashishsays change has to come

Atikamekw Grand Chief cautiously optimistic racism will be addressed after meeting with Premier Franois Legault

4 years ago

Duration 0:28

Grand Chief Constant Awashish of the Atikamekw Nation says there's disagreement on the definition of systemic racism, but they agree there's a problem.

Later Monday,Legaulttold a news conference he felt an apology to Echaquan's family was appropriate.

"We will find the proper way to do so," Legault said.

"What happened to Madame Echaquan is totally unacceptable. It is embarrassing. And the government is I am prepared to apologize to her family."

The death of Echaquan, a 37-year-old Atikamekw woman fromManawan, at the hospital in Joliette has renewed calls for the province to act on theViensreport.

Thereport, released a year ago, included detailed recommendations for the province, including several related to accessing health services.

Quebec has ordered a public coroner's inquest into her death, and a nurse and orderly have been fired.

Residents in Manawan say what happened to Echaquan is part of a pattern of discrimination seen at the Joliette hospital.

On Saturday, protests were held in Montreal and Quebec City to demand"Justice for Joyce." A funeral is planned for Echaquan Tuesday afternoon in Manawan.