Chief Allan Polchies addressing chiefs in assembly in Ottawa. Photo: Mark Blackburn/APTN.
Chiefs at the special assembly in Ottawa have voted unanimously in favour of a resolution to push the federal government to call a national inquiry into violence against First Nations people by police forces across the country.
Allan Polchies, chief of Sistansisk Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick, proposed the resolution. Three people – Rodney Levi, Chantel Moore and Steven Dedam – have died while interacting with police in that province since 2021.
“In our own land, we should feel safe,” Polchies told the assembly. “We shouldn’t be threatened or afraid of police or people in authority.”
The resolution has several parts, including the need for a trained First Nations person to be involved in an incident follow-up investigation.
It also calls for demilitarization of police forces and the establishment of a national crisis intervention team across Canada that can support people in crisis.
The resolution was passed by consensus.
In a statement, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc’s office said the RCMP is co-operating with independent police oversight bodies that are looking into the deaths.
“We recognize that recent officer-involved fatal incidents in Indigenous communities have been incredibly difficult for community members, and most of all the loved ones of the deceased. Our thoughts are with them,” the statement said.
Earlier in the morning, the AFN’s National Chief, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, told delegates that underfunding and the lack of First Nations police forces is “costing First Nations lives.”
“It’s time to say once and for all that our First Nations lives matter in this country.”
The resolution was seconded by Chief Jerry Jack of Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation in British Columbia.
While addressing the assembly, Jack said racism forced him to leave the RCMP. He also said he was later assaulted by police.
Since Aug. 29, 13 First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have died while interacting with police.
Edith Wells, the mother of Jon Wells, was at the assembly at the invitation of National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. Jon Wells, a Blackfoot man from the Blood Tribe, died after being confronted by members of the Calgary police who tasered, punched and used OC spray on him in September. His hands and feet were shackled and he was placed face down on the ground. A paramedic then sedated him. He died minutes later.
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At the chiefs’ meeting in Calgary, a motion was passed to support the family in their pursuit of a public inquiry into his death.
With files from the Canadian Press.
