François Legault Wrote A Post To Commemorate Missing And Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls
François Legault has posted a photo on his social media accounts of himself wearing a red dress pin to honour La journée de commémoration des femmes et des filles autochtones disparues et assassinées/The National Day of Remembrance for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in the province.
The premier acknowledged that racism is prevalent in Quebec — even in 2020.
"The reality is that there is still racism against Indigenous people back home," Legault said in his caption, translated from French. "We can't accept that."
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This year's commemorative day occurs just a day after the protest for justice for Joyce Echaquan, an Indigenous woman, who died in a Joliette hospital after being called derogatory names and told she would be "better off dead."
"The recording of her last moments gives chills. No human being should be treated like this," Legault wrote.
The premier says he has been in touch with Joyce's partner and says he has expressed condolences "on behalf of the people of Quebec."
He ends his post calling on citizens to continue to fight racism and injustice. "We owe that to Joyce. We owe this to all missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls."
The government has begun an investigation into the incident. Two staff involved have already been fired.
A vigil will be held online tonight for the murdered and missing Indigenous women, girls, trans and two-spirited people.
This article's cover photo was used for illustrative purposes only.
