An investigation has been launched after a video surfaced showing hospital staff in Quebec taunting a dying Indigenous woman, sparking outrage and renewed calls to address systemic racism in Canada's healthcare system.
Joyce Echaquan, a 37-year-old Atikamekw mother of seven, arrived at the hospital in Joliette on Monday with stomach pain and a known heart condition. As her condition worsened, she began live-streaming on Facebook, capturing nurses calling her 'stupid as hell' in French and making derogatory comments about her personal life.
Indigenous leaders condemned the treatment, with Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde stating that discrimination against First Nations people in healthcare must stop. Quebec Premier François Legault confirmed that at least one nurse had been fired but rejected claims that the incident reflects broader racism in the province, despite a previous public inquiry finding otherwise.
The province's coroner and the local health board have both announced investigations. Federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller called the video 'gut-wrenching' and said it represents the worst face of racism, adding that it is not an isolated event, citing similar cases in British Columbia.
Indigenous activists and community members expressed deep distress, with many sharing their own fears of seeking medical care. The video has intensified demands for systemic reform to prevent such tragedies in the future.
