Inquest into Tragic Death of Ruthann Quequish shows Neglect, Racism & Chronic Underfunding

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says that neglect, racism and chronic underfunding of health care for NAN First Nations is responsible for the tragic death of Ruthann Quequish, whose inquest concluded today.

“It has been tremendously difficult for the family to relive the tragic circumstances that led to Ruthann’s passing, and our prayers continue to go out to them. We thank Ruthann’s family and leaders of Kingfisher Lake First Nation and Shibogama First Nations Council for their strength and determination to get the answers they have been asking for,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. “We are disappointed that the cause of her death was found to be undetermined. The family wanted her death to be ruled as a homicide because their daughter died from an untreated disease in an under-serviced community.”

Ruthann Quequish, 31, died of undiagnosed and untreated diabetic Ketoacidosis on April 1, 2017, at her home in Kingfisher Lake after several visits to the local nursing station. The three-week inquest heard from 22 witnesses including family members, health officials, and people directly involved in her care. The jury also learned about the many issues and challenges faced by NAN members and the critical lack of adequate health services in remote communities.

“Ultimately, it was neglect, racism, and chronic underfunding that killed Ruthann. There is a critical lack of health care services across NAN territory that continues to claim the lives of our members,” said Fiddler. “There are many good recommendations from the jury, but they are meaningless if they are not acted on and nothing changes. Nothing can undo what has happened, but the status quo is unacceptable. It is our responsibility to honour Ruthann by ensuring that these recommendations are implemented, and make transformative change in the delivery of health services for our communities so that these tragedies don’t continue to happen.”

The jury made 42 recommendations directed to Indigenous Services Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health, regional health care providers, Kingfisher Lake First Nation, and Shibogama First Nations Council, aimed at preventing further deaths.

Kingfisher Lake First Nation only sees physicians 60 days per year. Like many remote First Nations communities across NAN territory, they are forced to rely on poorly equipped nursing stations that lack basic medicine and supplies, staffed by nurses with limited training.

NAN leaders declared a health State of Emergency across NAN territory in 2016 because of the perpetual crisis and health care inequities at the NAN community level.

For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca