Study Notes People Die
"People Die": A Killing Indifference
For Chaz (Chester Patrick), Gitxsan Dancer and Artist
Only man dies; the animal perishes.
This introduces the concept of perceived superiority and the ethical indifference discussed throughout the chapter.
Reference to philosopher Martin Heidegger's philosophy on death and humanity.
Introduction
Thesis Statement: Deaths of Indigenous people in custody frequently result from professional indifference by police and medical personnel.
This indifference manifests in a lack of examination and monitoring of Indigenous individuals, indicating a shared belief that they are not deserving of care.
There exists a psychological distance between professionals and Indigenous individuals, characterized by a hierarchy of humanity where Indigenous lives are seen as less valuable.
Concept of Corpus Nullius
Joseph Pugliese's Concept: Individuals subjected to extreme violence lose their humanity, becoming corpus nullius, or non-bodies, which are merely viewed as animal carcasses.
Contrasting Viewpoint: In Western societies, bodies treated as carcasses lose their dignity as humans; they are seen as mere objects without the potential for redemption.
Reference to Heidegger's perspective on death and dignity in the context of Indigenous populations.
Indifference in Custody
Impact of Inquests on Understanding Indifference
Inquests often categorize deaths as timely, reinforcing stereotypes of Indigenous individuals as inherently frail, particularly relating to alcohol abuse.
Narrative framing portrays Indigenous individuals as people beyond saving, reinforcing racial logic and social neglect.
Inquests are described as rituals that serve to redeem the collective settler identity while neglecting individual care.
Framework of the Chapter
Part One: Examines medical indifference through the case of Paul Alphonse.
Part Two: Discusses jail-based indifference and neglect during Indigenous incarceration.
Part Three: Explores suicides within prison systems.
Conclusion: Discusses the pervasive indifference towards Indigenous lives by settler societies.
Part One: The Hospital: Medical Indifference
Case Study: Paul Alphonse
Background: A 67-year-old Indigenous man arrested for public drunkenness.
Incident Timeline:
During booking, Alphonse scuffles, taken to the hospital with no apparent injuries.
First Trip to Hospital: Complains of chest pain as later determined to have fractured ribs.
Outcome: Dies eight days later in the hospital, and significant details regarding neglect emerge.
Negligence and Discommunication
Failure to contact family as required by hospital protocol.
Official reports do not address inadequate medical care as a contributing factor to his eventual death; alcoholism is emphasized instead.
Historical Context: Long-term negligence is a noted pattern in medical care for Indigenous populations in the Cariboo Chilcotin area.
Statistical Case: Katie Ross
Background: Indigenous woman shot, showed similar neglect by police and medical professionals.
Inquest Findings:
Violent outcomes of clinical negligence were sidelined; emphasis instead was on communicating effectively with Indigenous communities.
Results in recommendations for a First Nations Health Liaison Program, which faced funding delays.
Persistent Medical Indifference
Comparison of Paul Alphonse's and Katie Ross’s cases exemplifies ongoing professional neglect resulting in lethal consequences.
Medical professionals consistently failed to engage with visible signs of trauma due to their prejudiced views, attributing carelessness to the overarching narrative of alcoholism and neglect.
Medical Assumptions Concerning Alcohol
Perception: Chronic alcoholism leads to assumptions that Indigenous individuals are less deserving of medical care or responsibility.
Referenced Arguments:
Fiske and Browne's work emphasizes how discredited factors (e.g., alcohol addiction) preclude Aboriginal individuals from receiving necessary healthcare.
Indigenous identities are embedded in narratives of dysfunction and illness, complicating the ability to seek fair care.
Part Two: The Jail: A Population Beyond Help
Context of Indigenous Incarceration
The routine arrest of Indigenous individuals frames their existence as governmental and societal failures.
Example of A.'s arrest portrays perceptions held by police regarding the treatment of intoxicated individuals.
Case Study: A.'s Death in Custody
Incident Timeline:
Intoxicated, arrested for public drunkenness, displays symptoms of distress.
Detained without regular checks; despite warning signs of declining health, little is done.
Emergency response delayed, resulting in the individual's death.
Inquest Findings: Board dismisses accountability in A.'s death, painting Indigenous identity as synonymous with neglect and failed health practices.
Patterns of Neglect Seen in Other Cases
C.T. and S.Q.: Simultaneous Deaths in Custody
Inquest finds guards’ perceived understanding of Indigenous life as detrimental in defining the quality of care given.
Disconnect between care protocols and the reality of Indigenous individual treatment.
Guards noted C.T. as merely a “shallow breather,” showcasing an ingrained negligence regarding Indigenous health.
Part Three: Suicides: Resisting Dehumanization
Indigenous Vulnerability within Prison Systems
High rates of suicide among Indigenous populations signal systemic failings to recognize autonomy and dignity.
Case Study: A.E’s Suicide
Explores the conditions leading to A.E.’s suicide in custody, emphasizing systematic issues in care and the understanding of Indigenous suffering within prisons.
Family confronts the inquest, raising vital questions about mental health and treatment of vulnerable prisoners.
Call for institutional recognition of the humanity and prior trauma experienced by Indigenous lives.
Conclusion of Section: The proceedings highlight the lack of accountability and persistent assumption that leads to continuous suffering and neglect in these spaces.
Conclusion. Towards an Anatomy of Indifference
Indigenous Identity Considered as Disability
Discusses how settler perspectives on Indigenous identity frame their existence as perpetually disabled or less worthy.
Settler narratives encourage a disconnect, effectively rendering Indigenous people as ghosts or remnants of society, unworthy of lives lived fully.
Reflection and Re-institutionalization of Care:
Coroners and systemic actors fail to critique deeply ingrained biases that prioritize settler populations over Indigenous lives.
Calls for an examination of indifference rather than the continued framing of Indigenous bodies as inevitably doomed.
Hope for Change: Challenging existing narratives and processes remains essential for honoring Indigenous dignity and life.
final
Razack argues that the systemic indifference and dehumanization faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada, particularly in contexts of healthcare and incarceration, is deeply intertwined with societal perceptions of alcohol abuse. Her thesis highlights how narratives surrounding alcoholism serve to legitimize the neglect and inadequate care provided by medical and law enforcement systems.
Dehumanization through Alcohol Narratives: Razack points out that Indigenous individuals are often viewed through the filter of their struggles with alcohol, which frames them as lesser human beings who consequently do not deserve the same level of care and compassion as others. This perception fosters an environment where their health issues and rights are dismissed.
Impact on Professional Indifference: Her argument extends to how medical professionals and law enforcement internalize these societal narratives. For instance, they may overlook visible signs of trauma or distress in Indigenous patients, attributing health crises to alcoholism rather than engaging in the necessary medical intervention.
Case Examples: Razack cites specific instances, such as the deaths of individuals like C.T. and S.Q., as well as A. in custody. In these cases, inquests revealed that the systemic neglect stemmed from a shared belief that Indigenous identities are associated with dysfunction, leading to lethal consequences for individuals who are seen as unworthy of care.
Connection to Heidegger's Philosophy: She connects her analysis to philosophical discourses on death and humanity, drawing heavily from Heideggerian thought, arguing that societal indifference towards Indigenous lives perpetuates a cycle of neglect, where they are treated as "non-bodies"—mere statistics in care systems that deem them unworthy of humanity.
Calls for Change: Ultimately, Razack urges for a reevaluation of these ingrained narratives that prioritize settler lives over Indigenous ones, advocating for a critical examination of indifference rather than a simplistically framed narrative of Indigenous dysfunction.