According to a recent report, which lists 315 incidents in the Ottawa health system, 76% of the approximately 200 Aboriginal people surveyed believe they could receive better services if they were able to hide their origin.
The report entitled Ikwento mo (New window),, was developed by the Wanabo Center for Aboriginal Health. His research team has collected stories of racism, large and small, experienced over the years by about 200 Indigenous people in the health system in the Ottawa area.
“The 315 incidents listed do not represent isolated cases. Like stories reported in British Columbia, Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Manitoba, they testify to a systematic and institutional failure of care,” the owners wrote. author of the report.
For example, an Aboriginal patient, who had been waiting in the hospital for more than an hour with a dislocated shoulder, cried out in pain and asked for help before a nurse broke him.
” He told me … and I will always remember this: “you don’t listen to anything they tell you!” I asked him what he meant by ‘you people’ and he said ‘you know what I’m saying’ and then he added ‘you people are stupid’. “
Based on the testimonials received, the report identified five types of stereotypes present in the health network: 1-Indigenous peoples are inferior in race, 2-they suffer from addiction or mental health problems, 3 -represents an economic burden, 4- -has a frantic and 5-is a bad parent.
racism kills people
Racism kills people, especially in hospitals and health care facilitiessaid Stephanie Mikki Adams, executive director of the Inuuqatigiit Center and member of the 12-person advisory committee that oversaw the study.
In the fall of 2018, this Inuk woman who had just moved to Ottawa, began to experience chest pain. Her husband took her to the hospital three times because of severe pain, thinking she might have a heart attack. I can’t breathe, I can’t speak, I can’t move my armssaid Ms. Adams in an interview with CBC.
” When I went to the emergency room, they didn’t believe I was hurting. They really thought I was drunk. “
Some patients are also denied access to medications when service providers find out they are only covered by the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program. Others have unfairly threatened to take their babies away from them.
Emergencies and maternity in the line of sight
Hospitals had the highest reported frequency of racism (43% of the cases listed were in the emergency room and 10% in the maternity ward). However, complaints of racist behavior are often ignored, perpetuating this type of behavior, the report said.
As a result, 82% of participants in this study reported moderately to greatly reduced their use of the health care network. This means that Aboriginals don’t care when they need it.said the researchers.
This reluctance to consult has a negative impact on the health and well-being of Aboriginals, as 59% of the 200 people consulted believe that their physical health has been negatively affected and 73% believe that their mental health has worsened.
” The conclusions of this report are heartbreaking and, unfortunately, not surprising. Racism specifically directed against Aboriginal people is rooted in Canadian colonial history. “
Directly targeted, the Ontario Ministry of Health indicated by e-mail to CBCthat he took the time to consider the findings and (27) recommendations of the reportand he is committed to combating racism and discrimination and reducing inequalities in the health care system.
The department half recognizes that its organizational culture must be fair in order to achieve better results.
Also via email, The Ottawa Hospital acknowledges the historical existence of systemic racism against Indigenous peoples in health care settings and says it is now collaborating with its Indigenous partners to improve patient care and experience.
Canadians and Canadians refused to listen
These findings are not new and have already made headlines in several provinces, including Quebec. Consider the best-known and most dramatic case, the death of Joyce Echaquan in September 2019, one of the reasons cited by coroner Géhane Kamel was racism.
Among the 94 calls to action resulting from the work of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which ended in 2015, seven were specifically related to the health system.
But very little has changed since then, the report’s authors claim: Perhaps this is because Canadians and Canadians refuse to listen, as is consistent..
The Ottawa Native Coalition, which sponsored the study, is therefore testing a new approach, asking Ontario candidates in provincial elections to sign a declaration of support aimed at changing health network practices.
This statement includes 5 commitments that the next Premier of Ontario will make:
- Make the elimination of anti-Indigenous racism in health a priority;
- Ensure equal care;
- Ensure that this care is compassionate and culturally appropriate;
- Pay attention to the situation in emergency and maternity wards;
- Consult with Aboriginal health centers when developing programs.
At the time of publication, it was not yet known to what extent the four major parties had endorsed the declaration.
With information from the CBC.
Source: Radio-Canada
