Discover Narcity
Get the latest and greatest stories every day in your inbox.
Mother of First Nation woman who couldn't get medical transport and died seeks reform
First Nation woman speaks out on daughter's death
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Eva Mamakwa (Mandatory Credit)
If only. It's a phrase that plays over and over again in Eva Mamakwa's mind.
If only her daughter, Miranda Mamakwa, had made it to at least one followup appointment after open-heart surgery, she may be alive.
If only Indigenous Services Canada's non-insured health benefits program had arranged travel for just one of her four missed appointments, Miranda may be alive.
The 31-year-old mother of three from Fort Severn First Nation died on Sept. 8, weeks after asking people on social media to seek action in case of her death.
"I don't want this to happen to anyone else," Eva Mamakwa said in an interview with The Canadian Press from her home before falling quiet, overcome with emotion. She is speaking out about her daughter's death for the first time.
Since Miranda Mamakwa's death, more than a dozen First Nations and tribal councils have filed a human rights complaint that alleges widespread neglect of their communities' health needs, while chiefs have demanded reform from the federal agency in charge of arranging medical travel for remote First Nation people.
Indigenous Services Canada said it's working to improve delivery of the service, while the minister in charge has said she requested a fact-finding mission on the circumstances that led to Miranda Mamakwa's death.
Months ago, Mamakwa's family was filled with hope as she underwent surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute in April to replace a valve in her heart. She recovered over two weeks at the hospital in Ottawa, then two more weeks at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
On May 24, she arrived home in Fort Severn First Nation, the most northerly community in Ontario that sits near the mouth of the Severn River on Hudson Bay.
Her doctors wanted to see her for several followups. She had blood clots and had been put on blood thinners, which required testing on an ongoing basis, Eva Mamakwa said. Doctors booked her daughter for an echocardiogram and an appointment with a vascular surgeon in Thunder Bay.
Miranda Mamakwa was thrilled to be back home; her children were excited and her mother was caring for her.
That excitement would soon abate.
Eva Mamakwa said she went to the First Nation's nursing station to begin the administrative process to arrange travel back to Thunder Bay for her daughter's first followup appointment. Nurses soon faxed Miranda's documentation to the non-insured health benefits program — faxes are protocol — and the family waited to hear back on travel plans.
She said the agency never responded and her daughter missed her first appointment on May 28. Eva Mamakwa then called NIHB's office in Sioux Lookout, Ont., and got someone on the line.
"I told her that it was extremely important that Miranda go to her followup appointments," she said. "I talked to her and she listened to me and she said they would send her travel, but travel never came."
She said the NIHB told her the request never arrived despite more than one tranche of faxes being sent.
The same thing occurred for followup appointments on June 11, July 2 and Aug. 6, Eva Mamakwa said, despite multiple faxes and phone calls.
"They didn't care at all," she said.
As the summer progressed, Miranda Mamakwa became more tired, slept more and started losing feeling in her fingers.
On Aug. 19, she wrote a Facebook post about the problems with NIHB and the missed appointments.
"If I die, pls go after (them)," she wrote.
On Sept. 6, she started to feel sick. Her stomach hurt and she began vomiting. "We just thought she might have caught the flu from her kids," her mother said.
But Eva Mamakwa soon realized that "something was terribly wrong."
Her daughter needed immediate help. Later that day, Skycare, which operates on behalf of provincial air and land ambulance Ornge, arrived, and airlifted her to the intensive care unit of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, some 850 kilometres away.
The next day, Eva Mamakwa and Mike Bluecoat, Miranda's father, got a call from the ICU doctor.
"He told me that Miranda had a lot of bleeding in her brain, she was hemorrhaging," she said. "Even if they send her down south (to Toronto), to try and help her, that she wouldn't have survived it."
The doctor told them to fly to Thunder Bay so they did, with Miranda's children in tow. Eva Mamakwa's oldest daughter was already at the hospital to support her sister.
They arrived to crushing news.
"There was no brain activity at all and we had to make a very difficult decision to take her off life support or not," Eva Mamakwa said through tears.
"As much as I wanted to keep her, it wouldn't have been a good idea because it was the machine that was helping her breathe," she said.
"It was very, very heartbreaking seeing my daughter being disconnected. But up until the end, when her heart stopped, and everything shut down, her children were beside her. All of us were beside her. And then we watched her go."
Eva Mamakwa's words failed, briefly, as tears rolled down her cheeks while she relived the nightmare.
"Today my daughter would be here if her travel was made to attend her appointments, but sadly it didn't happen," she said. "I am holding NIHB accountable for my daughter's passing."
Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty has said her department would review the circumstances of the case, and that Mamakwa's community and family deserved answers.
WIDESPREAD ISSUES
The woman's death became a clarion call to First Nation leadership across Canada. It came after hundreds of people staged a sit-in at the NIHB office in Sioux Lookout over missed medical appointments, calling for urgent reform.
Chief Archie Wabasse of Wunnumin Lake First Nation, a remote fly-in community some 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay and 330 kilometres south of Fort Severn, broke into tears as he discussed the issue in a recent interview.
He said that in his community of 800 people, about 80 residents had a total of 147 missed medical appointments between March 2025 and March 2026 due to lack of transport.
There is no full-time doctor in the First Nation, but one rotates in for a week or two every month, for 12 to 14 visits a year. Demand for the doctor's time far exceeds availability, and those visits lead to referrals to specialists in southern parts of the province.
"The problem is getting worse for my people," an emotional Wabasse said.
He lists a number of community members who need help. One, with a pacemaker, who has already missed a few appointments. Another who needs dialysis in a few days, but has not heard back from NIHB about his travel. In one case, the band paid about $3,000 to send an elder to a specialist in Winnipeg after NIHB did not return calls, he said.
Wabasse said he met with the Indigenous Services minister to talk about the issue, months before Miranda Mamakwa's death.
He said Gull-Masty told the chiefs in attendance about improvements being made to NIHB, but she declined their request to sit down with them and resolve on the spot what he sees as a relatively straightforward administrative issue.
"It is a solvable problem, but what we're trying to do here is advocating, telling the minister, the decision makers, the prime minister, this could be solved in one day," Wabasse said.
When asked about Wabasse's description of that meeting with the minister, Indigenous Services Canada said regular dialogue with First Nations leaders about NIHB "has been an important part of our work to improve service levels."
HUMAN RIGHTS COMPLAINT
More than 12 First Nations and tribal councils filed a complaint on Oct. 1 with the Canadian Human Rights Commission against Indigenous Services Canada over what they say is effectively a denial of health care in their communities.
The joint complaint from Wunnumin Lake First Nation, Matawa Chiefs Council and Windigo First Nations Council alleges the federal department's non-insured health benefits program is failing to meet the needs of community members for medical transportation.
The NIHB program for First Nations and Inuit people covers medical, dental and mental health care not available through private insurance or provincial health plans. First Nations leaders and physicians have long said the program is not working for communities, and that its employees are notorious for being slow in responding to queries, requests and filing reimbursements.
The complainants say NIHB fails to consistently arrange medical transportation, or it informs patients so late about the transport that they are forced to miss their appointments.
They say Eabametoong First Nation community members miss about 50 appointments per month, while North Caribou First Nation members missed almost 100 appointments in the past year.
The complaint said First Nations have attempted to raise the issue with Indigenous Services Canada from as early as 2014, to no avail.
“Due to ISC’s actions, First Nations are suffering and dying. This is known to ISC, and yet nothing has been done to change it," the complaint said. “Years of NIHB failing to approve requests on a timely basis, considered in the context of costs associated with First Nation service-provision and remoteness, represents a choice to deny First Nations health care.”
The complainants are requesting a formal review and reform of the benefits program, along with $20,000 in compensation for each individual who missed an appointment due to NIHB's failures, and an additional $20,000 for pain and suffering.
“The continued failure regarding medical transportation is the newest chapter in a long history of Canada’s colonial practices devaluing the health and safety of Indigenous people," the complaint said.
Indigenous Services Canada spokesperson Carolane Gratton said the department recognizes the serious impacts any gaps in service can have on people who rely on NIHB for medical transportation, and that it's working to strengthen the delivery of the service.
The department implemented a simplified travel submission process in early October, meant to provide clients with more direct support from local medical transportation co-ordinators and create a "more consistent and streamlined experience," Gratton wrote in an emailed statement. She said the department is looking into other actions that could improve call centre performance.
Indigenous Services Canada did not provide details when asked if there is a service standard for arranging medical transportation, nor how often that standard is met.
Gratton said the department takes seriously any complaints to the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and that it would respond "through the appropriate process."
Julian Falconer, a longtime human rights lawyer who is representing the First Nations and tribal councils in the case, said their complaint is not about "simple negligence."
"We are talking recklessness when it comes to the sanctity of life," he said. "It's an outrage."
The government's response is a "perfect parallel" to what happened to Miranda Mamakwa after her surgery, he said.
"The ignoring continues to this day," Falconer said. "The minister promised an urgent review. We're six weeks out and it's crickets."
DOCTOR SAYS SYSTEM IS A 'BLACK HOLE'
Pediatrician and infectious disease specialist Anna Banerji, who travels to see patients in northern communities, said administration of the NIHB is discriminatory.
She said First Nations children, some of whom have serious health issues, are often no-shows for their appointments.
"Their flights were not booked," she said.
Lack of transport has also led to missed mammogram appointments, allowing cancers to spread, and high-risk pregnancy symptoms that aren’t caught early and lead to complications for mothers and babies, she said.
Banerji said when concerns have been raised to NIHB, it’s like a “black hole.”
"(Patients) don’t know if the flight is booked, or when it’s booked, and if you try to communicate with (NIHB) again, no one ever picks up the phone. They can send faxes, and no one responds to the faxes,” she said.
“At the last minute they’ll say, ‘You have a flight in an hour.’ Well, (patients) have other responsibilities. They have other children, they have elderly people at home, they have jobs and suddenly they have to drop everything they’re doing last minute to go on a flight. It’s just disrespectful."
Banerji said if the NIHB was any other system in Canada, it would be dismantled.
"My conclusion is, after 30 years of observing it, this is all racism. It’s a double standard. It’s discriminatory," she said.
"I would go so far as to say when you give one group of people certain rights and you deny that to another group based on race … it’s called apartheid.”
Banerji said Miranda Mamakwa's death was preventable, but not unpredictable, and called for a national inquiry into the system.
For Mamakwa's family, the past month has been difficult.
Her children, aged 7, 9 and 11, are struggling. Eva Mamakwa said her youngest grandson often says, "I want my mom back."
They trek to her grave to visit. They're just trying to get through the days.
"My grandson, he wakes up early in the morning and he cries and in the evenings, that's when it gets really hard for all of us," Eva Mamakwa said, choking up.
"I cry every day. There are times I get extremely angry. What happened with our daughter? I miss her. I miss talking to her."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2026.
By Liam Casey and Alessia Passafiume | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Keep reading
Show less
PBO trims economic forecast for 2026 and 2027 amid new U.S. tariffs
PBO trims economic forecast for 2026 and 2027
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The Parliamentary Budget Office is trimming its outlook for economic growth for this year and next amid new U.S. tariffs and Canadian countermeasures.
The federal budget watchdog says it now projects real gross domestic product growth of 0.9 per cent for this year and 1.5 per cent in 2027.
The forecast is down from an estimate in June for growth of 1.1 per cent and 1.6 per cent, respectively.
Trade talks between Canada and the U.S. broke down at the end of August followed by a new round of U.S. tariffs and Canadian counter-tariffs.
The PBO says it also now projects a budgetary deficit of $63.3 billion for the 2026-27 fiscal year which will peak at $70.2 billion in 2027-28.
It says, relative to its June outlook, the deficits are $3 billion higher per year on average over 2026‑27 to 2030‑31, as new spending measures more than offset stronger revenues.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 20, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Keep reading
Show less
Air Canada impose de nouveaux frais à certains voyageurs et voici comment les éviter
En plus des frais pour les bagages de cabine et le choix des sièges... 💸✈️
Partir en voyage comporte déjà son lot de dépenses et, depuis quelque temps, de nombreux frais s’ajoutent à ton budget avant même d’embarquer dans l’avion. Et chez Air Canada, la liste vient de s’allonger encore une fois.
À lire également : Hausses de tarifs des compagnies aériennes : Voici tout ce qui coûte plus cher
En janvier 2025, le transporteur avait d’abord rendu le bagage de cabine payant pour les personnes ayant choisi le tarif de base sur plusieurs vols, avant de faire de même pour le changement de siège à l’enregistrement. Depuis le 15 octobre 2026, un nouveau frais est entré en vigueur, et cette fois, ce n’est plus ce que tu apportes à bord ni l’endroit où tu t’assois qui est visé.
Si tu as l’habitude de planifier tes vacances par téléphone, cette nouvelle mesure pourrait bien te faire changer tes réflexes.
Air Canada facture désormais des frais de réservation de 30 $ par passager, taxes en sus, pour toute nouvelle réservation faite par téléphone auprès d’un agent ou une agente de ses Centres de services.
Ainsi, une famille de quatre qui réserve ses billets de cette façon devra débourser 120 $, plus taxes, avant même de payer le prix des vols.
Voici les détails à retenir :
- Les frais s’appliquent uniquement aux nouvelles réservations faites par téléphone avec un membre du personnel;
- Ils sont non remboursables, même si tu annules ton billet ou ta réservation par la suite;
- Le montant apparaît sur une ligne distincte de ton reçu et n’est pas inclus dans le prix du billet;
- Les réservations de primes Aéroplan faites par téléphone étaient déjà soumises à des frais de ce genre, et ça ne change pas.
Pour éviter de payer ce montant, il suffit de réserver sur le site Web d’Air Canada ou dans son application, où aucuns frais de réservation ne s’appliquent.
Qui n’a pas à payer?
Les personnes ayant des besoins en matière d’accessibilité sont exemptées, précise Air Canada. Elles peuvent joindre l’équipe des Services d’accessibilité au 1 800 667-4732.
Si ton vol est retardé, annulé ou autrement perturbé, l’aide offerte par le service à la clientèle reste la même, sans frais de réservation. C’est aussi le cas pour les questions liées à une réservation existante, mais attention : les frais de modification ou d’annulation prévus par ton tarif continuent de s’appliquer.
Si tu passes par une agence de voyages, c’est elle qui fixe ses propres frais. Mieux vaut donc vérifier directement auprès d’elle.
Et si tu éprouves des difficultés à réserver en ligne? Tu peux toujours appeler au 1 888 247-2262, mais le transporteur indique que des frais pourraient s’appliquer selon les circonstances.
Pourquoi ce changement?
Selon Air Canada, encourager la clientèle à utiliser ses outils numériques pour les besoins courants « permet de réduire les temps d’attente » au téléphone. Le personnel peut ainsi se concentrer sur les situations plus complexes, qui ne peuvent pas être réglées en libre-service. La compagnie affirme aussi vouloir harmoniser ses règles avec la politique déjà en place pour Aéroplan.
Bref, si tu prévois réserver tes billets pour le temps des Fêtes ou tes vacances dans le Sud, mieux vaut sortir ton ordi ou ton cell que composer le numéro du service à la clientèle.
From Your Site Articles
- Cette compagnie aérienne « low-cost » fera Montréal-Paris à moins de 290$ dès ce printemps ›
- Voici le prix des bagages des compagnies aériennes à l’aéroport de Montréal ›
- Bagages de cabine avec Air Canada : Tout ce que tu dois savoir sur les changements à venir ›
- Un autre frais à payer s'ajoute officiellement pour certains passagers d'Air Canada ›
Keep reading
Show less
Flambée du prix de l’essence : Voici comment sauver de l’argent à la pompe
Il y a plusieurs techniques pour faire des économies. 💸⛽
Le conflit en Ukraine fait bondir le prix de l'essence depuis que la Russie a lancé une attaque militaire contre le pays frontalier. Alors si tu te demandes comment sauver de l'argent lorsque tu fais ton plein de carburant à la pompe, sache que CAA-Québec a donné plusieurs recommandations.
Ce lundi 7 mars, le prix moyen de l'essence est de 188,2 cents le litre au Québec, ce qui correspond à une hausse de 29 centimes par rapport à la semaine précédente. Que ce soit en adoptant une conduite plus écologique ou encore en conditionnant ton véhicule, il existe plusieurs techniques pour faire baisser le prix de ta facture quand tu vas à la station-service, donc voici tout ce que tu dois savoir.
Pratiquer l'écoconduite
Tu peux commencer à faire des économies directement en changeant ton comportement derrière le volant. Il est recommandé d'accélérer en douceur au lieu de faire rugir le moteur, car cela est assez énergivore. L'idéal serait de le faire de 20 km/h toutes les cinq secondes.
D'ailleurs, rouler moins vite et de manière constante sont aussi des techniques à prendre en compte. Par exemple, adopter une vitesse de 100 km/h au lieu de 120 km/h permet de consommer 20 % d'essence en moins. Relevons également que le fait d'osciller entre les 75 km/h et 85 km/h toutes les 18 secondes augmente de 20 % l'utilisation de carburant.
Cela ne sert donc à rien de mettre le pied au plancher lors des démarrages et des freinages, car cela réduit seulement de 4 % la durée d'un déplacement alors que cela produit une hausse de 39 % sur ta consommation, d'après Ressources naturelles Canada.
Choisir le bon endroit pour faire le plein
Parfois, faire quelques détours pour aller là où l’essence coûte la moins chère peut t'aider à sauver des sous. Tu peux surveiller le prix au litre en fonction des régions sur l'outil Info Essence avant de te rendre à la station-service.
Le choix du carburant a également un impact sur ta facture. CAA-Québec considère que d'acheter de l'essence « plus », « super » ou « suprême » est une « dépense inutile ».
« Vous voulez gâter votre véhicule avec les meilleurs nectars? Votre argent sera mieux investi en servant de l’huile synthétique à votre moteur », est-il indiqué sur le site Internet de CAA-Québec.
Conditionner son véhicule
Tu peux aussi simplement faire des économies en conditionnant ton véhicule. Par exemple, la pression des pneus est à surveiller pour limiter ta consommation. Il est aussi recommandé d'enlever les supports à ski ou à vélos du toit qui ajoutent du poids à ton véhicule. Un surplus de 25 kg augmenterait de 1 % la dépense de carburant.
Pour éviter de faire tourner le moteur de ta voiture pendant quelques minutes pour réchauffer l'habitacle, tu peux te munir d'un chauffe-moteur qui améliore la consommation de 15 % sur une distance maximale de 20 km/h. Il est d'ailleurs recommandé de chauffer son moteur pendant 30 secondes maximum et en roulant doucement.
Tu devrais aussi éteindre ta voiture lorsque tu es pris.e dans le trafic, car un « moteur qui tourne au ralenti pendant plus de 10 secondes consomme plus de carburant que pour le faire redémarrer. Au ralenti, un moteur peut consommer entre 1,1 et 4 litres à l’heure. »
C'est aussi peut-être le moment d'investir dans une voiture électrique, car les véhicules à essence seront interdits à la vente dès 2035.