The Nishnawbe Aski Nation says neglect, racism, and chronic underfunding of the health care system on First Nations is to blame for the death of a 31-year-old from Kingfisher Lake.
The inquest into the death of Ruthann Quequish concluded on Friday.
Quequish died on April 1st, 2017, at her home of undiagnosed diabetic ketoacidosis.
She had gone to the local nursing station several times before she died.
The cause of death is still listed as undermined, but Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says they were hoping for more.
“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.”
The jury in the inquest presented 42 recommendations for 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.
The inquest lasted for three weeks and heard from 22 witnesses.
NAN says there is a lack of health care services across on remote First Nations, that continues to claim the lives of its members.
