Tragically, it took the death of Joyce Echaquan of the Atikamekw First Nation, to awake the national consciousness to the racism experienced by Indigenous women in Canada’s healthcare system. In response, the federal government announced plans to co-develop new distinction-based health legislation to improve Indigenous access to high-quality, culturally-relevant health services. It is critical the voices of Indigenous women are front and centre in these discussions and decisions.
By November 2020, the government had committed close to $2.5 billion to support Indigenous communities and organizations during COVID-19, including support to women’s shelters and sexual assault centres. Yet, at a time of high vulnerability for Indigenous women, it is regrettable that the government postponed the launch of the National Action Plan for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls from June 2020 to an undetermined date.
Meanwhile, the government stuck to its commitment to introduce legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Bill C-15, by the end of 2020.
