THUNDER BAY – On Aug. 19, Miranda Mamakwa of Fort Severn First Nation posted to social media, “If I die, [pls] go after ’em.”
On Tuesday, Mamakwa died at the Thunder Bay hospital after missing four follow-up appointments for open-heart surgery she said were not arranged by the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.
The NIHB’s program exists to ensure access to health care, including transportation and accommodation, for First Nation members. There have been multiple concerns raised about the shortcomings of the program this year, including demands from physicians and politicians, and program recipients at recent rallies.
According to Mamakwa’s social media as well as the Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority (SLFNHA) and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), Mamakwa had open-heart surgery on April 23, and was scheduled for follow-up care appointments on May 28, June 11, July 2 and Aug. 6.
According to SLNFHA and NAN’s joint media release, Mamakwa was taken to the nursing station in Fort Severn this past weekend and was transported to Thunder Bay by ORNGE. Her family arrived on Monday, and she was removed from life support on Tuesday.
Following the death of Mamakwa, a mother of three, NAN and SLFNHA are demanding an immediate independent investigation, a public account of the circumstances that led to her death, a meeting with the Minister Mandy Gull-Masty of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), and NIHB program reform.
“It’s really quite unfortunate and sad that it’s taken this kind of event to propel this into public awareness because we’ve been saying this for years, and this is what we were trying to avoid,” said Sonia Isaac-Mann, president and CEO of SLFNHA.
“Part of the responsibility of ISC is to ensure that First Nations community members that require medical appointments outside of community have their travel booked to attend those medically necessary appointments,” she said.
“So, they’re responsible to book all of that, (arrange) the travel, do the follow-up piece, work with discharge planning,” continued Isaac-Mann. “This is life and death.”
She added that following the rally in June that was led by Neskantaga First Nation in Sioux Lookout, Deputy Minister Michelle Kovacevic of ISC held two meetings with them, but Friday is the first time they’ve heard a step towards a solution.
Issac-Mann said ISC reached out Friday looking to set up an interview, which is being coordinated with NAN.
“Those in charge of NIHB need to understand that medical transportation is not just a paper exercise – these are matters of life and death. The officials responsible should be asking themselves why our members are still subject to such a horrific bureaucracy that denies them access to life saving care,” said Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of NAN in a media release.
“Days before she began her Spirit Journey, Miranda posted to social media that ‘If I die, please go after them.’ We will honour her dying wish by demanding full accountability,” said Fiddler.
Isaac-Mann said she believes that Mamakwa’s family is discussing legal options with NAN.
Carolane Gratton, spokesperson for ISC, told Newswatch ISC is “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Miranda Mamakwa. Our thoughts are with the family and community during this difficult time.
“ISC is working to understand the events related to this situation, however is not able to comment to respect the privacy of the individual involved.”
On Saturday, Minister Mandy Gull-Masty of ISC said in a statement that she has “instructed Indigenous Services Canada officials to urgently establish the facts surrounding Miranda’s death and the circumstances that led to it.”
She continued that she will be meeting with SLFNHA and NAN “at the earliest opportunity to hear directly from them and discuss what needs to happen next,” offering her condolences to Mamakwa’s family and to Fort Severn.
“They deserve answers about what happened,” said Gull-Masty.
ISC included contact information for the Hope for Wellness Helpline which offers immediate toll-free phone and chat support for Indigenous people in Canada in English and French, and upon request in Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut.
The Hope for Wellness Helpline can be reached at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.
