It’s been nearly one year since the violent arrest of Athabasca Chipewyan Chief Allan Adam and First Nations leaders say they’re still waiting for action to be taken against the RCMP officers involved.
“I believe that we’re at a place where we collectively have to hold the governments accountable,” said Treaty 8 Grand Chief Arthur Noskey.
The dash-cam video from an RCMP vehicle of the arrest shows the March 2020 arrest, where police detained Adam for an expired license plate.
The nearly 12-minute video starts with a discussion between Adam and an officer who is inside his vehicle.
“Tell your sergeant, what the f— is her name… I’m tired of being harassed by the RCMP,” Adam can be heard saying.
The officer replies, “sir just return to your vehicle and I’ll come and talk to you in a minute.”
“Ok, just f—ing leave us alone,” Adam said.
The arrest made news across the country – in part because of the violent nature of the arrest, and then for comments made that the arrest was according to RCMP guidelines according to leadership in Alberta.
In light of the Adams arrest anniversary, and the recent Colten Boushie report, Treaty 8 chiefs held a press conference via zoom to call on systemic racism and violence within the RCMP.
“The prime minister promised action, there has been nothing done today,” Adam said in the press conference.
Read more:
Video shows RCMP arrest of Athabasca Chipewyan chief
Chief Allan Adam calls for RCMP ‘overhaul’ after violent arrest video surfaces
Adam was charged with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer, but those charges were withdrawn in June 2020.
During a press conference in June 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for a transparent, independent investigation into the incident and said he and all Canadians want answers.
“I think everyone who has seen this video has serious questions about what exactly happened, about how it happened this way and about that use of force that we saw,” he said.
One year later, Adam said nothing has been done.
