A vice-chief with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in Saskatchewan is calling on the federal government to appoint a First Nations person to lead the RCMP.
“We feel that a First Nations RCMP commissioner would do a lot towards continuing that process of addressing racism both within the RCMP and within the detachments,” said Dutch Lerat of the FSIN that represents 74 First Nations.
“It has to start from the top up and then come down; come through the regions and into the detachments.”
Lucki announced this week she will vacate her post on March 17 to retire. She was the first female commissioner of the national police force.
While a First Nations commissioner wouldn’t solve all problem facing the RCMP, Lerat feels it would be a positive step.
The force has long faced accusations of systemic racism and mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples.
“To us, with having the top person be one of ours, our way is trust,” said Lerat. “We trust, and the fact that there’ll be an individual there that is going to look after our rights as individuals, as Treaty First Nations people.”
