Montreal holds vigil to honour Joyce Echaquan two years later

A vigil in honour of Joyce Echaquan took place in Montreal Wednesday evening, marking two years since the Indigenous mother died in a Quebec hospital.

In 2020, the 37-year-old mother live-streamed her final moments as she lay dying in a Joliette, QC, hospital, as health staff hurled racist slurs at her.

To honour her memories and “stand in support of Joyce’s Principle, and denounce medical colonialism and systemic racism,” the United for Joyce Coalition and the Caring for Social Justice Collective organized the event.

“The importance is to honour the life of Joyce Eshaquan,” said Ellen Gabriel, Indigenous human rights and environmental rights activist. “We need to address the status quo that has kept Indigenous people oppressed for so long and has caused the death of people like Joyce Echaquan.

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Since her death, many people, including Joyce’s loved ones, have called on the Quebec government to address the systemic racism that exists in Quebec hospitals.

However, time and time again, people have been met with Quebec premier Francois Legault has stating that there’s no such thing as racism in the province.

“You want the best for your children. You want to see your children grow up. You want to be there for them. And Joyce, that was that was lost those children. She has seven children that have no mom,” said Nakuset, director of Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal & co-manager of Resilience Montreal.

“I don’t know what that hospital’s doing to make amends with the community, to make amends with that family. But I brought my child here because I want him to be confident that when he is an adult and goes into the hospital, he’ll be treated well. We need to do that for the next generation.”

The vigil organizers say Joyce Echaquan’s family was invited to the event but added due to an event in Manawan, they will not be in attendance.