Episode Five: The Right Know

In this final episode, we talk to people and organizations helping Survivors and families find out what happened in sanatoria and segregated hospitals in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. They describe barriers to accessing records and how knowing what happened and sharing experiences contribute to Survivors’ healing. We also look at the on-going inadequacies in health care for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

The Right to Know – The Story of a National Crime

**DOWNLOAD OUR LISTENING GUIDE AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS**In this final episode, we talk to people and organizations helping Survivors and families find out what happened in sanatoria and segregated hospitals in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. They describe barriers to accessing records and how knowing what happened and sharing experiences contribute to Survivors’ healing. We also look at the on-going inadequacies in health care for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.Content Warning: This series talks about Indian Residential Schools, medical racism, segregated health care, and missing patients.If you are a Residential School Survivor or Intergenerational Survivor, you can access support through the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. Mental health and crisis support is also available through Hope 4 Wellness at 1-855-242-3310.Credits:Written/Produced by Maia-Foster SanchezCo-Producer: Ryan BarnettAdditional Voices: Gabriel MaracleOur series advisors are Teresa Edwards, Kaila Johnston, and Erin Millions.Artwork by Caleb Ellison-DysartA Knockabout Media Production | Funded by the Government of Canada Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1. The Right to Know 42:25
2. “So, I Lie On In Bed Till I Feel I Shall Burst” 45:47
3. “This Criminal Disregard for the Treaty Pledges” 36:33
4. "A Condition Disgraceful to the Country" 31:45
5. Sick People Need More Than Pills 29:37

In this series, we look at the practices, policies, and official correspondence to reveal the intentional actions and acts of indifference that contributed to poor health and lethal outcomes. There will be examples of people who pushed back – the whistleblowers – the parents, the Indigenous communities, the bureaucrats, and members of the clergy. The experts interviewed highlight how archival documents only reveal part of the history and that numerous questions remain.

Content Warning: This series talks about Indian Residential Schools, medical racism, segregated health care, and missing patients.

If you are a Residential School Survivor or Intergenerational Survivor, you can access support through the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419. Mental health and crisis support is also available through Hope 4 Wellness at 1-855-242-3310.

Credits:

Written/Produced by Maia-Foster Sanchez

Co-Producer: Ryan Barnett

Additional Voices: Gabriel Maracle

Our series advisors are Teresa Edwards, Kaila Johnston, and Erin Millions.

Artwork by Caleb Ellison-Dysart

A Knockabout Media Production | Funded by the Government of Canada

EPISODE RESOURCES

Lux, Maureen. Separate Beds: A History of Indian Hospitals in Canada, 1920s-1980s. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2016.

Nerestant, Antoni. “If Joyce Echaquan were white, she would still be alive, Quebec coroner says.” CBC. Last modified October 5, 2021. Accessed August 23, 2022. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/echaquan-coroner-report-health-care-system-racism-1.6199964

Richardson, Lindsay. “Would Joyce Echaquan still be alive if she were white? Quebec coroner says ‘I think so’”. APTN. Last modified October 5, 2021. Accessed August 23, 2022. https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/would-joyce-echaquan-still-be-alive-if-she-were-white-quebec-coroner-says-i-think-so/

Sisson, Jonathan. “A Conceptual Framework for Dealing with the Past”. Politorbis 50, no. 3 (2010): 11 – 15.

Stranger, Darrell. “Indigenous TB project in Manitoba helps First Nations man find his mother.” APTN. Last modified May 20, 2022. Accessed August 23, 2022. https://www.aptnnews.ca/national-news/indigenous-tb-project-in-manitoba-helps-first-nations-man-find-his-mother/

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. Winnipeg: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, 2015.

UN General Assembly, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: resolution / adopted by the General Assembly, 2 October 2007, A/RES/61/295. https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html