The death of Joyce Ichakwan gave rise to change. But after 5 years, change is still the beginning
Joyce Inequin died because she was indigenous.
He was from a statement in the words of her unhappy husband, which he gave to a crowd of journalists on 5 October 2021, who reacted to release a coroner report in Ichakwan’s death in a coroner report.
Carol Drawa spoke peacefully but his pain was infallible because he “described a system that still allows people to be prejudiced to horrify.”
Earlier on that day, Koroner Gohen Kamel, who fought tears to expand the findings of his investigation, said that he believes that the integrity must have still survived. If she was white.
Echaquan died on September 28, 2020 Center Hospital Regimental Day Lanaudier In Jolit, Q., about 90 kilometers in the north -east of Montreal.
The death of 37 -year -old Atikmekev mother of seven from the Manavan community and shocking racist behavior with the hospital staff managed to live in the livestream, even cried in pain and instigated resentment and protests.
The fact is that only a few months after the murder of George Floid, he was killed in a conversation around systemic racism in Quebec.
Five years later, this conversation is over. And the changes arising out of his death are still starting.
Joyous theory
Echaquan died almost a year later Vinys commission report Was published.
The Commission was a result of more than nine months of testimony for abuse, abuse and neglect by indigenous people from police, health care systems and other public services.
At the time, the Sebastian Brodur-Girrd, who was part of the research team of the Veen’s Commission, expected the entire action-during which 237 people came forward, will serve as “Electronocks” for the Kubeback society, stating about 1,200 stories in 38 weeks.
“But this was not the case. Joyce Electronquock,” he told Radio-Canada that Aspace autocotone,
In fact, many people of Manwan testified about the problems faced in the hospital in the Jolit in the Vins Commission.
“The pattern was present earlier, but Joyce’s death really solved things,” said Brodur-Girrd.
Joyce Ichakwan’s husband, Carol Dubey on Tuesday said that he believes that his wife died as she was indigenous. His comments resonated the people created by the Quebec Coroner Gehen Kamal, who said at a news conference at Trious-Rivieres, Q on Tuesday, that he believed that if she were white, Ikachawan would still be alive.
Ichkwan died of pulmonary edema.
The coroner concluded that racism played a role in preventing the late patient from receiving care that he was entitled.
Shortly after Echaquan’s death, Joyce’s theory was born.
This is one 16 page document The Atikameeekw is created by the council of the nation and the Atikameekw Council of Manawan, which “has the right to enjoy all indigenous people for all social and health services, without any discrimination, as well as the best possible physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.”
Inspired by the United Nations Declaration on the rights of indigenous people, this principle is at the center of the two -day program organized by the principle office of Joyce. This is the end of the week Trois-Rivieres, Q. In, the fifth anniversary of his death is happening to mark.
On Saturday, a long list of guests from areas such as health, law and politics participated in a series of rounds and workshops.
According to Jennifer Petai-Duresne, Executive Director of Joyce’s Principle Office, “Adopting Joyce’s principle is not in itself and a starting point, but a starting point.
“We have to live it in our organizations, our politics and future services,” he said.
“We have to look at different areas and complete some action for real and solid positive results in all those areas.”
In addition to Saturday’s program in Trois-Rivieres, there is a tribute ceremony for Ichakwan’s plan for Sunday afternoon.
After joy
The health care system of the province interacts with many indigenous people, especially in the Lanudier region where Ichakan died, there has been a change in the province’s health care system.
But like the Temple-Dures, who belongs to the Manavan community, said that, depending on what he hears from the community members, a lot of work is still yet to be done and many still feel discriminated against in health care settings.
“When they say something, they feel that it has not been believed or has proved what their visit means because there are perceptions that they are probably drunk or drunk. And they have not treated properly,” she said.
“Rachism and discrimination against indigenous people, they are still there. I can say that work is going on … and we have to do it together.”
many Other People interviewed Radio-Canada Aspace autocotone The unit indicated notable changes since September 28, 2020-despite sufficient increase in government funds for health care initiative, despite stating that the situation is far from the ideal.
For example, according to Radio-Canada, the budget for the country friendly center increased from $ 500,000 to $ 3.5 million last year, and its employees increased to 37 from around 12 people, except for external resources such as speech doctors and psychologists.
Last year, a mobile clinic was introduced for indigenous patients in the Lanaudier area. It is believed that this is the first in the province.
Mobile Mikinakw offers a series of clinic services. The group behind it states that Joliete, Q, Hospital still has confidence to rebuild in the health care system, four years after the death of Joyce Ichakwan. A coroner determined that his death was affected by racism.
The first nation Cubek-Labrador (AFNQL )’s former head of the assembly, Ghishlan Picard told Aspace autocotone This conversation with the government has been more attractive over the failures of the health care system.
But many government initiatives have expressed concern.
In 2021, the province provided an indigenous sensitivity training program for the heath-care workers, however, at that time, many people said that training, which was initially designed to civil servants, Missed the mark.
Last December, the National Assembly adopted Bill 32 to meet the notion of cultural security in health care facilities for indigenous people.
Even as a review of the bill, the first nation groups expressed Anger and frustration How the bill was drafted, in the part which he said that there was a great lapse: Failure to recognize the existence of systemic racism, a fundamental component of the principle of joys.
There is no government recognition of systemic racism in vision
In 2020, the city of Montreal formally recognized the existence of systemic racism and hence the order of the provinces nurses in 2021 and then by several organizations.
Kamal, who investigated the death of Ikkwan, urged the province To follow the suit.
But for more than five years, the Lagault government has not woken up.
In an interview with CBC News, Ian Laughranear, Minister responsible for relations with first nations and Inute will attend the Sunday’s tribute ceremony for Ichakwan in Tris-Rivieres-said that it was “impossible” to be fully implemented in the cultural security law.
“The first criteria he asked me is to recognize systemic racism. Therefore, I will be honest, I will be straight and honest, it was impossible,” he said.
“But he did not stop me from doing anything. In Bill 32, I put everything in my bill (by the principle of Joyce).”
The minister also insisted that the province is doing what can create changes but it will not happen overnight.
“This is never enough, to be honest. Why is this?
In a statement by CBC News, the province’s Health Ministry said it is committed to continue its work on cultural security and to take into account the “realities and cultures of the first nations and Inute” in offering health care services.
It said that an additional training module designed especially for health care workers is available from last year’s March.
According to the Ministry, a total of 47 posts for both relationship officials and service sailors will be funded for 2025-2026 and in those roles people will help in facilitating the relationship between communities and health care establishments.
‘Duties of memory and action of action’
For many people, lack of recognition of systemic racism remains a major obstacle for correct changes.
Premier François Lagault in an open letter Published on Saturday By radio-canada Aspace autocotone Unit, Sipi Flemand, Head of Manavan, wrote that the principle of Joyce is not just a “symbolic option,” it is “recognized by experts” solid tools and is supported by our communities. ,
“Applying the principle of Joyce will allow our concerned people to get closer to each other, so, finally, the first nations feel that they are part of the Quebec society. I have to believe that you are something you want,” Flemand wrote.
“We will no longer accept silence, half measures or empty excuses. Atikmekev, and all those who believe in fairness and justice, expect clear and immediate action. Applying the principle of Joys will be part of your political heritage and pave the way for reconciliation. She cannot die in vain.”
The Lagault government is going to enter the final year of its second mandate.
The competent-dupressne says that it is not breathing about the opposite course of the present government on the issue of systemic racism. She is now hoping that the future government will contact the issue differently.
“With Joyce’s death, I think we have the duty of memory and action,” he said.
“I don’t think we are fulfilling our duties right now. But I think (his death) woke up a lot of people.”
Radio-Canada’s Espace Autochtone, CBC’s Kathy Senay, Rachel Watts and Henia Old-Hamou’s files.
