A new report provides first-hand details about anti-indigenous racism within health facilities in and around Ottawa.

The report titled Indigenous-Specific Racism & Discrimination in Health Care Across the Champlain Region grew out of the Share Your Story Project and was commissioned by the Wabano Center for Aboriginal Health and the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition to share local stories of anti-Indigenous racism in the health care system. to discover the whole world. Champlain health region, to find solutions and build trust among indigenous people in the health care system.

The Champlain Health Region includes the city of Ottawa and the counties of Prescott and Russell, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, North Grenville, and four parts of North Lanark.

“Racism kills people, especially in the hospital/healthcare environment,” said Stephanie Mikki Adams, executive director of the Inuuqatigiit Center for Inuit Children, Youth and Families and a member of the project’s advisory committee.

“In our times of need, in our times of pain, in our times of suffering, we rely heavily on people to support and care for us.”

She said she has experienced stereotypes and discrimination in the health services in the region.

In the fall of 2018, she moved to Ottawa from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. and started having chest pains. Three times her husband took her to the hospital because she was in so much pain, assuming she was going to have a heart attack.

“I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t move my arms,” ​​Adams said.

“When I went to the emergency, they didn’t believe I was in pain — they really thought I was drunk.”

She said the reports in the report were not shocking to her and that they reflect broader issues than health care, inclusive education and policing.

In total, 315 accounts were collected from more than 200 people between the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019. Wabano’s research interviewers rated 91 percent as clear cases of anti-indigenous racism based on criteria developed by the research team.

The highest percentage of reports of racism, negative stereotypes and discrimination in hospitals were in emergency rooms and maternity wards, and in the community were in health clinics and allied health services.

“Indigenous-specific racism is embedded in Canada’s colonial history, and only by taking responsibility can we achieve better health outcomes for Indigenous peoples in this country,” Wabano’s Executive Director Allison Fisher said in a May 25 press release.

“The province must be committed to change; to end racism; to provide competent and safe care and to enforce it. We are part of the solution; we have to be part of the solution.”

27 recommendations

The report makes 27 recommendations on seven themes in areas such as commitment to equity and cooperation, expectations and accountability.

In addition to releasing the report, the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition and Wabano have a declarationasking the leaders of every political party in Ontario to sign up and commit to effecting systemic change.

In an email response to CBC News, Ontario Health said it is taking time to review the findings and recommendations in the report.

“Ontario Health is committed to addressing racism and discrimination and reducing inequalities in the health system,” the statement said.

“We value inclusion and diversity and recognize that our organizational culture must be fair to contribute to better outcomes for the communities we serve.”

In a statement to CBC News, The Ottawa Hospital said: “We recognize that healthcare facilities have been part of a long cycle of systemic racism against indigenous peoples.

“As part of planning our new campus, we are privileged to work with Indigenous partners. Their knowledge and wisdom are critical in guiding The Ottawa Hospital to improve the care and experience for Indigenous patients.”