LETTER

 

------   The death of Joyce Echaquan

 

Reacting to the tabling of the report by Coroner Géhane Kamel on the death of Joyce Echaquan, the acting Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council, Ms. Savanna McGregor, invited the Premier of Quebec François Legault to stop denying the existence of systemic racism and to really undertake the necessary process of reconciliation with the First Nations.

Ms. McGregor reminded that talking about systemic racism does not mean that all healthcare workers are racist, but it is those who share this mindset who hold the attention and perpetuate this type of attitude.

She calls on the Premier to implement the report's recommendations, starting with the first on the recognition of systemic racism. She believes that all regions where one or more First Nations communities are present as well as in cities where there is a significant presence of First Nations members, one or more liaison officers should be implemented and that they be an integral part of the

medical team. Ms. McGregor also agrees with Coroner Kamel that the curriculum for medical staff should include specific training on the Indigenous experience, but calls for this work to be done by real First Nations people.

The Grand Chief believes that Premier Legault can immediately act to improve relations with the First Nations, but that will be impossible as long as he refuses to acknowledge the facts.

Georges Lafontaine, the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation

Kitigan Zibi, Qc