NationTalk: Credit: TVO Today

This episode of NDN POV delves into the systemic racism faced by Indigenous peoples in the Canadian healthcare system, as well as the longstanding inequities caused by colonization. Indigenous peoples in Canada suffer disproportionately from poor health outcomes, including higher rates of chronic disease, mental health challenges, and lower life expectancy compared to non-Indigenous Canadians. These disparities are exacerbated by systemic barriers rooted in the ongoing impacts of colonization.

The result is a system that often overlooks or outright discriminates against Indigenous peoples, as evidenced by the tragic deaths of individuals like Brian Sinclair and Joyce Echaquan, both of whom were failed by the healthcare system. Brian Sinclair’s death after 34 hours in a Winnipeg emergency room and Joyce Echaquan’s horrifying, livestreamed death in a Quebec hospital reveal the dangers Indigenous peoples face when seeking care.

NDN POV offers a candid examination of these complex issues, providing valuable insights through the eyes of Indigenous leaders in Canada.