Joyce Echaquan: Atikamekw Nation still healing two years later

The Atikamekw Nation is still trying to heal after the death of Joyce Echaquan.

The 37-year-old mother livestreamed her final moments as she lay dying in a Joliette, QC, hospital, as health staff hurled racist slurs at her.

She died on Sept. 28, 2020.

“Joyce Echaquan was I think the spark of this fight,” said Constant Awashish, Grand Chief of the Atikamekw Nation.

“She brought that reality, that hard reality in, that we cannot pretend that it’s not happening here in Quebec,” said Michèle Audette, Senator and commissioner for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Audette explained that Echaquan become for many a spokesperson, speaking a truth that was not known.

“It was a difficult time, and I think it’s still difficult for most of the people in our community,” added Chief Awashish. “When they go to the hospital, it’s always worrying. It’s always sad. They’ll fear, too. As well for them to be treated differently…I don’t know how long it’s going to take to heal, but for now, it’s still very difficult for everybody.”

“She should be there with her kids today. But a system [failed]. Few people didn’t do what they were supposed to do, but the system is still there. So there’s work to do,” said Audette.

Indigenous leaders say Echaquan, in her pain, was able to propel a conversation that has been leading decision-making in the right path, but no where close to where it needs to be.

“The training was built and prepared before the Joyce Echaquan tragedy. So I think there needs to be a review, maybe push more, maybe get it mandatory for everybody, for public services serving – even for our elected people. I think a future Premier, they need to know about First Nations, so they can see us as allies,” explained Chief Awashish.

Recent comments by incumbent Premier François Legault, claiming that racism at the Joliette hospital where Echaquan died has been resolved struck a chord for community members that haven t healed from the tragedy – and are even more fearful of the health system than they were two years prior. Legault did apologize a few days later, but the wounds continue to be fresh for many.

“It’s difficult to to fight that kind of racism and all the bias and stereotype about First Nations. That’s a long term job,” said Chief Awashish. “I think that this is what happened when Legault said it was done and over. And that’s what people didn’t like. That’s what the family didn’t like as well.”

“You know, there was a tragedy that happened in Joliette, and yes, they put people in place. They hire people to support Atikamekw families, people go to the institutions, but still, people are still feeling the fear. They still worry.”