KIJPUKTUK, NOVA SCOTIA (7 AUGUST 2024)
The recent tragic and preventable death of an Indigenous woman in Kentville has once again highlighted the ongoing and systemic mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples within hospitals and healthcare facilities in Nova Scotia.
Destiny Rennie’s life was cut short by fungal meningitis, a death that could have been prevented. She was dismissed as a drug user because she was Indigenous. Her mother was ignored because she was Indigenous. Destiny died because of harmful stereotypes entrenched in the healthcare system. She died because she was Indigenous.
Destiny went to the hospital on July 27th and again on the 28th but was sent home both times before being admitted on July 31st via ambulance. By August 2nd, doctors suspected meningitis and ordered treatment, but delayed administering it for 8.5 hours. In contrast, when a young white boy arrived at the hospital with meningitis on July 29th, he was immediately airlifted to Halifax where he received care that saved his life. Why didn’t Destiny receive the same urgent treatment?
“My daughter was born with beautiful brown hair and beautiful brown eyes to match. Tattoos to represent her culture and a heart of gold to match her beauty… I will never stop fighting to expose the injustices within our system that have ultimately cost my daughter her life at the age of 22. My daughter’s life mattered!"
- Dana Rennie, Mother of Destiny Rennie
With the support of PATH Legal, Destiny’s family has filed a lawsuit against the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the four doctors. The Statement of Claim alleges that they breached the duty of care owed to Destiny, failing to correctly test, diagnose, treat and attend to her illness in a timely manner.
“Destiny held the blood of a strong, proud Mi’kmaq woman. We are here to be the voice that she desperately tried to push out, but was ignored and silenced until ultimately, she died alone in a hospital bed.”
- Timothy Toney & Teesa Syliboy, Father & Stepmother of Destiny Rennie
Health is a fundamental human right, yet Indigenous Peoples continue to face unacceptable barriers to healthcare. In 2015, The Truth and Reconciliation Commission released their Calls to Action, urging the government and healthcare institutions to address these disparities and publicly account for the ways government policies and healthcare actors discriminate against Indigenous families. Almost 10 years later, we have yet to see this change. Reconciliation requires that Indigenous women receive equal medical care to other patients with similar conditions. It also demands that the government account for its ongoing role in the marginalization of Indigenous women in Canada. While awaiting this critical progress, Destiny’s family is taking action by holding the NSHA and doctors accountable through a lawsuit, seeking recourse and hoping to drive urgent and necessary change.
[On October 1, there will be a public memorial and march to honour the memory of Destiny Angelina Rennie. Details of the event will follow.]
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For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Mukisa Kakembo
Staff Lawyer, PATH Legal
(902) 707-6460
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