Family of Indigenous Woman Subjected To Insults Before Her Death, Files Lawsuit Against Quebec Hospital

The bereaved family of an Indigenous woman has announced a series of legal action against the Quebec hospital that she was reportedly exposed to racism and insults as she lay dying in the hospital bed.

Indigenous Family Sues Quebec Hospital 

Joyce Echaquan, an Atikamekw mother of seven children, captured a video of the cruel treatment she faced by two female hospital staff. The 37-year-old Mother was reportedly clearly in distress and begging for help as the hospital staff entered the room and could reportedly be heard in the video insulting Echaquan. Her family believes that Indigenous systemic racism ultimately killed her. 

“I’m convinced my partner is dead because systemic racism contaminated the Joliette hospital,” her husband, Carol Dube, reportedly said tearfully during a news conference, “it killed my partner.”

Echaquan’s family, their lawyer, and members of the community have publicized their decision to file a string of legal actions during the news conference on Oct. 2.

The Indigenous family is launching a lawsuit, and filing complaints with police and the human rights commission in hopes of criminal charges being filed over the systemic racism.

Joyce Echaquan will be laid to rest today at her home in the Atikamekw community.

Quebec Premier François Legault tweeted today that “I will present, on behalf of the government, a formal apology to the family of Mrs. Joyce Echaquan, who passed away under horrific circumstances because the Quebec public service failed in its duty to her.” On Monday, Legault said his government was “trying to find the right way” to apologize.

Joliette Nurses Fired After Cruel Treatment

On Sept. 28, Echaquan filmed the video of the insults she endured from the nurses while she lay in a hospital bed with stomach pains pleading for help. The video quickly spread on social media and sparked outrage in Canada.

The regional health authority and Quebec’s coroner are investigating how Echaquan died. The Indigenous woman’s family members have called for a public inquiry to investigate the treatment of Atikamekw people at the Joliette hospital. 

According to health authorities, two hospital staff have been fired after the treatment of Echaquan.

The family’s lawyer, Jean-Francois Bertrand said that they are prepared to take all recourse to accomplish getting justice for Echaquan and her family over the alleged systemic racism in the Canadian hospital.

Bertrand said, ”We’re going to hit hard because we want to give the example that it has to stop,” according to The Star.

He added that the family is also going to be filing a grievance with Quebec’s nurse’s order so that the nurse caught on camera insulting Echaquan will lose her licence to practice. 

Indigenous Family’s Lawsuit Alleges Systemic Racism

“I’m here today to reclaim justice. I am here for my wife, Joyce Echaquan, and her seven children who will never again see their mother, who are the biggest losers in all this,” Carol Dube reportedly said.

“The objective is to obtain justice for Joyce, but also to ensure what happened here never happens again to anyone … Justice for Joyce! Justice for my children! Justice for my Atikamekw Nation and for other First Nations!”

The Manawan, Quebec chief of the Atikamekw council Paul-Emile Ottawa demanded Premier Francois Legault to initiate prompt measures to ensure no other Indigenous people are given the same treatment as Echaquan. Although Echaquan’s family sees her treatment as an instance of systemic racism against Indigenous people, not everyone agrees.

During the Oct. 2 press conference, Legault said that systemic racism in Quebec does not exist. 

“When we talk about systemic racism, for me, it’s in relation with the Black people in United States — for a reason we know. I don’t see that in Quebec, but, for sure there is some racism against the First Nations in Quebec and I want to fight, I want to be the government who will do the most actions … against racism against the First Nations,” said Legault reported CP24 News.

Disagreeing with Legault, Dube wants to see justice for his wife and an end to systemic racism against Indigenous people. 

The chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador missed a scheduled meeting with Legault. Ghislain Picard explained on Twitter that the meeting did not happen because Atikamekw chiefs were not present, and therefore cancelling was out of respect. But, Legault called the cancellation “unfortunate.” 

Systemic racism in Canada and the U.S. has been called into question countless times this year. Indigenous systemic racism in Canada has also been alleged against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in a class action lawsuit after there were reports of harassment and abuse. And last month, Canadians spawned a scholar strike to end police brutality and systemic racism against Indigenous and Black civilians. 

What do you think will be the outcome of the Canadian Indigenous systemic racism lawsuit? Do you think steps will be taken to stop systemic racism in Canada? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Echaquan’s family is represented by Jean-Francois Bertrand of BDIA Bertrand Deslauriers, Attorneys/Avocats.

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