Atikamekw Nation Grand Chief optimistic following meeting with Legault over Echaquan death

By CityNews Staff

MONTREAL – The Grand Chief of the Council of the Atikamekw Nation says he’s optimistic following a meeting with the premier about the death of Joyce Echaquan.

Echaquan, 37, live-streamed staff at Joliette Hospital hurling racist attacks at her as she lay dying on Sept. 28.

READ MORE: ‘This horrible injustice’: Indigenous woman taunted on hospital deathbed, activist demands accountability

“I’m optimistic, but I’m waiting for concrete results,” said Grand Chief Constant Awashish, after meeting with Premier Francois Legault.

A public inquiry into the death of the 37-year-old mother has been launched, as well as a local investigation by health authorities.

A nurse and orderly have since been fired. Her family said they will be launching legal action.

READ MORE: Nurse fired, coroner to investigate after dying Indigenous woman taunted in hospital

“We talked about what happened with Joyce, that was the objective, what happened in Joliette, to Joyce Echaquan. […] The Premier says he’s going to see rapidly what’s going on there and asked that I call him personally if I see things aren’t moving quickly,” continued Awashish.

Awashish says the nation proposed that a course about the Indigenous community be worked into the curriculum for medical staff so that those who care for them in their time of need understand them and their culture.

They are asking that the health or education ministers create internships within the Indigenous community mandatory for all future nurses and doctors.

“We want to eradicate racism in hospitals,” said Paul-Émile Ottawa, Chief of the Council of the Atikamekw of Manawan.

“There is profound grief in the community over Joyce’s death. Authorities can’t continue to pretend they don’t here us after protests this weekend and this meeting.”

Thousands took part in marches calling for #JusticeforJoyce in Montreal and other Quebec cities on Saturday.

The chiefs say a game plan for the next few weeks and months was put in place.

“I spoke to [the Premier] about humanity, generosity, we have other discussions that we will have together,” said Awashish.

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