By David P. Ball
---
Downtown Eastside women were among thousands who spoke to former judge who found widespread, entrenched discrimination against Indigenous people.

The investigator behind a scathing report that revealed widespread racism against Indigenous people in B.C.'s health care system said she's thankful for the thousands of people who spoke out and blew the whistle blowers who had to courage to speak out.

And she said many were residents of the Downtown Eastside — both as patients and health care workers themselves who reported also experiencing racism — and said the neighbourhood had particular stories about Indigenous women especially.

"I just want to thank the people who came forward and shared their stories," Turpel-Lafonde told The Pulse on CFRO. "I feel we only touched a bit, but I lift my hands up and thank them so much."

And even though she found widespread fear of accessing health care among Indigenous people who spoke to her, she still hopes people will not be afraid to get help they need. "I really encourage anybody who needs care, to get care," she said.