“No more systemic racism,” chanted a hundred marchers in Joliette on Thursday in honor of Joyce Echaquan. The latter, an Attikamek mother, died three years ago to the day at the Lanaudière Regional Hospital Center, under racist insults from the nursing staff.
The crowd, wearing purple sweaters bearing the image of Ms. Echaquan, marched at dusk, leaving the Lanaudière Native Friendship Center. “Justice for Joyce,” the procession sang in unison, candle in hand. To the sound of drums, people of all ages marched towards the hospital where the woman from Manawan died.
Near the hospital center, the head of the Attikamek Council of Manawan, Sipi Flamand, stressed on the microphone that September 28 “marks a movement for justice for indigenous peoples”.
Raising his voice, he added that he was “ordering the government of Quebec to adopt Joyce’s principle.” The latter aims to “guarantee all Indigenous people a right of equitable access, without any discrimination, to all social and health services, as well as the right to enjoy the best possible state of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health” .
The minister responsible for relations with First Nations and Inuit, Ian Lafrenière, was present at the event. Mr. Flamand therefore asked him to “bring this speech to the Parliament of Quebec”. “Without that, we are mobilizing in Quebec directly for a major demand,” launched the head of the Attikamek Council of Manawan, provoking thunderous applause.
Joyce “deserved” to be treated with dignity
The Grand Chief of the Attikamek Nation, Constant Awashish, then read a letter written by the family of Joyce Echaquan, who preferred to pray at her home. “Three years ago today, Joyce closed her eyes for one last time. At the same time, she opened the eyes of others. Joyce deserved to get dignified care,” he recited.
By filming her last moments, “Joyce committed a heroic gesture,” wrote Ms. Echaquan’s spouse, Carol Dubé, and her children in their missive. “We must recognize his courage. Joyce, who, despite everything, despite her immense distress, fought to the end. »
The family of the deceased, however, is saddened by the changes that are slow to come for Aboriginal people. “After all that, why do we still have to make demands on the Quebec government? Why should the energy that should be put into healing ourselves together be spent asking to be heard? »
At nightfall, the marchers then observed a minute of silence in honor of the deceased. Sadness could be seen on the faces of the people gathered to honor his memory.
Before the start of the march, singer-songwriter Laura Niquay, an Attikamek artist from Wemotaci, in Mauricie, opened the evening by singing a few pieces in front of the Lanaudière Native Friendship Center.
Other events to commemorate the mother took place on Thursday, notably in Montreal.
” A little hope “
In its letter, Ms. Echaquan’s family, however, said they had hope in seeing connections between Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people. “It warms our aching hearts to see that Joyce has had an impact on the enlightenment of us all. »
September 28 is an opportunity to observe the work that has been done to date, said Jennifer Brazeau, general director of the Lanaudière Native Friendship Center. “We also take a moment to see if we have done enough. Are there still shortcomings and how can we move forward to ensure that we honor Joyce’s memory? »
Compared to three years ago, however, Ms. Brazeau notices greater listening today from decision-makers and health establishments. “I think that the issue that remains to be worked on is above all to be certain that all this good will does not rest just on a few people, but that there are also concrete changes within all these institutions to be sure it lasts. »
Earlier Thursday, members of the National Assembly honored Ms. Echaquan at the Salon bleu, at the initiative of Québec solidaire.
Minister Lafrenière urged the Quebec population to “continue to fight against racism, against intolerance, against profiling”. According to him, Quebec has “a duty to do something”. His bill on cultural security for Indigenous people in the health network is “directly linked to what happened” on the day of Joyce Echaquan’s death, he said.
He also mentioned being in reflection “on everything that was said” during the study of this legislative text. Several speakers supported the importance of recognizing the existence of systemic racism and systemic discrimination.
With Marie-Michèle Sioui