“The coroner’s report on Joyce Echaquan’s tragic death further confirms the existence of systemic racism in the health care system.
Seeking medical care should never increase the likelihood of one’s death, but sadly that is what happened to Joyce Echaquan, a 37-year-old Atikamekw woman and mother.
Instead of love, care and treatment, she experienced indifference and overt racism that ultimately killed her. Unfortunately, there are many cases of First Nations people who have similar experiences.
The Assembly of First Nations calls on the Government of Canada to take concrete action to eliminate systemic racism entrenched in the country’s institutions and commit to Joyce’s Principle. First Nations citizens need culturally-safe, trauma-informed care. It’s time for transformative change and a true healing path forward.”
