Rally for Juliette Tapaquon held outside Pasqua Hospital

People gathered at the Pasqua Hospital on Friday to remember the life of JulietteTapaquon.

Tapaquondied in 2014 after a five-year battle with cancer. During her final days, Tapaquon's family saidshe was discriminated against by staff at Pasqua Hospital, where she was being treated.

"She died a very painful, tragic death," Joyce Tapaquon, mother of Juliette, said.

Tapaquon is calling for reforms to the palliative care system, stressing it would be for the benefit of everyone, not just Indigenous patients and families.

She said the family was in contact with health officials but communication lines have gone silent.

"We're not the only family to experience this, but I, as a mother and a loving for my daughter, can understand racism," she said.

"That's why I'm here today, to tell my daughter's story."

Bob Hughes, with the Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism, said a lot of people are not aware of their own attitudes when it comes to systemic racism.

Hughes has seen it firsthand as a mental health worker.

"It's not acceptable," Hughes said. "We have to move forward with that."

Juliette was in pain during her final months. Her mother alleges when there was a call for help, nurses would provide small one and two milligram doses of pain reliever for her daughter. In some cases, when they called for help, Joyce Tapaquon said it wouldn't come at all.

She wants to see changes to the healthcare system, such as more compassionate workers.

Tapaquon said she hasn't received any words on an investigation into the allegations.

"It's a beautiful feeling to know you have people, friends, to count on," Tapaquon said after the rally.

"When my daughter was dying in the hospital here at the Pasqua, you know, wouldn't it have been wonderful if all this was happening then, all the people were there supporting and loving, and showing their support and their love that time," she added.

The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region said in an emailed statment they are not able to comment on any individual patient case.

The statement said quality and safe care for patients is their primary concern and they make every effort to help patients and family with their needs during their final days.