Current Problems:
Exploring Theme: "Systemic Racism in Policing"
Updates on this page: 126
(Filtered by Indigenous Group "First Nations")
November 6, 2024
B.C. court allows police to apply to dispose of evidence from Robert Pickton’s farm
Toronto Star: VANCOUVER – A B.C. Supreme Court judge says it has jurisdiction to order the disposal of thousands of pieces of evidence seized from serial killer Robert Pickton’s pig farm decades ago, whether it was used in his murder trial or not. A ruling issued online Wednesday said the RCMP can apply to dispose...
October 22, 2024
Families want inquiry after 9 police-involved Indigenous deaths
Crown-Indigenous relations minister calls string of police-involved deaths across Canada troubling CBC News: The Canadian Press – A group of Black and Indigenous women say they want a national public inquiry into a recent spate of police-involved deaths after nine Indigenous people were killed in interactions with police in August and September. About two dozen...
October 17, 2024
Family of Blood Tribe man who died in Calgary Police custody calls for public inquiry
Spokesperson for the family says they’ve gotten no ‘sign of empathy’ from province, federal government CBC Indigenous: The family of a Blood Tribe man who died after he was restrained by Calgary Police is calling for a public inquiry into his death. Jon Wells, 42, died Sept. 17 after police tackled, punched and deployed “various uses of...
October 14, 2024
Nearly a decade later, questions still arise over handling of First Nation man’s death investigation in Vancouver
Crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous men, boys and Two Spirit death grows in Canada. Warning: This story contains content about missing and murdered Indigenous men, boys and 2S (MMIMB2S) and may be distressing – the Hope for Wellness hotline is available 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310. APTN News: Across the sprawling landscapes of North America, a...
October 11, 2024
Thunder Bay’s police service to go under the microscope – again
Inspector General of Policing of Ontario has announced a review Ryan Teschner says he will review the work of the Thunder Bay Police Service as Ontario’s Inspector General of Policing. Photo: Submitted APTN News: Thunder Bay’s embattled police service and its governing board are again coming under scrutiny – this time by the Inspector General of...
October 8, 2024
Silence surrounds Indigenous deaths
Toronto Star: When is this going to stop? Two weeks ago the Calgary Police Service revealed that three of its members are under investigation by an outside agency for their treatment of an Indigenous man — Jon Wells — who died in a well-appointed hotel lobby. This was the ninth such death across Canada in...
October 4, 2024
Indigenous-led crisis teams in New Brunswick help people in distress, but need buy-in from police
Globe and Mail: A grieving New Brunswick Mi’kmaq community wants answers as to why RCMP failed to request help from a local Indigenous-led crisis team before going to the home of a man who was shot and killed by police last month – a question that is sowing even more distrust between the First Nation...
October 4, 2024
Accountability not national inquiry needed into First Nations deaths, says Anandasangaree
A timeline shows who was killed when in recent police interactions across the country. APTN News: The minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations is dismissing the call for a national inquiry into the recent deaths by police of nine First Nations people. “I think there’s definitely a need to have every one of these deaths investigated and...
September 30, 2024
Alberta chief demands investigation into death of Indigenous man in police custody
Globe and Mail: The chief of a southern Alberta First Nation is demanding a thorough, transparent investigation into the death of an Indigenous man in police custody. Blood Tribe Chief Roy Fox says the death of Jon Wells on Sept. 17 after a scuffle with police at a Calgary hotel, has brought back memories of...
September 27, 2024
‘We need a national inquiry into police conduct:’ Edmonton MP on deaths of First Nations people
Top row, left, Jack Piché, Hoss Lightning Saddleback, Tammy Bateman. Centre left, Jason West, Daniel Knife, Steve Dedam. Lower left, Ronald Skunk, Jon Wells, lower right, Joseph Desjarlais. All were killed in police interactions. APTN News: An Alberta MP is calling for a national inquiry into the recent spate of First Nations people dying during...
September 26, 2024
RCMP Officer Guilty Of Lying Under Oath Files Stay Of Proceedings In Dale Culver Case
NationTalk: Gitanyow Lax’yip – The Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs are outraged by the latest development in the case of Dale Culver, who died in RCMP custody seven years ago. After being found guilty of obstruction of justice this summer, Constable Arthur Dalman’s lawyers have filed a stay of proceedings, citing alleged breaches of his Charter Rights,...
September 25, 2024
Report says ‘disproportionate’ use of force against Indigenous and Black Calgarians
An analysis of race-based data shows Calgary police used a disproportionate amount of force against Indigenous and Black individuals in the city last year. Toronto Star: CALGARY – An analysis of race-based data shows Calgary police used a disproportionate amount of force against Indigenous and Black individuals in the city last year. The Calgary Police...
September 25, 2024
‘I don’t want to die’: Prophetic last words of Blood Tribe man who died while being arrested by Calgary police
Jon Wells died Sept. 17 while in the custody of Calgary police officer. Photo: APTN File Warning: This story contains distressing details, please read with care APTN News: The police oversight agency in Alberta has released disturbing information about the fatal police arrest of Jonathan Lee Wells last week in Calgary. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team...
September 23, 2024
Family of Tammy Bateman says it took police 2 days to notify them of her death
Sister says Tammy ‘always in good spirits’ but struggled in life. School photos of Tammy Bateman. Photos courtesy Lori Bateman APTN News: A Winnipeg woman says the loss of her little sister was made even more traumatic by the way the family found out about her passing. Now Lori Bateman is looking for an apology...
September 22, 2024
Deaths of eight Indigenous people during altercations with police prompt calls for better accountability
NDP MP Lori Idlout rises during an emergency debate, which was called after six First Nations people died at the hands of police officers over the last few weeks, in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Sept. 16. Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press The Globe and Mail: The deaths of eight Indigenous people...
September 16, 2024
SCO Calls for Police Board to Hire Police Chief Who Commits to Reconciliation and Culture Change at Winnipeg Police Service
NationTalk: ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is speaking up for First Nations people as the Winnipeg Police Board recruits a new Chief of Police. Over its 150 years of history, racism and brutal treatment of First Nation citizens have been at the cultural core of the Winnipeg Police Service...
September 16, 2024
Finding justice for Indigenous people killed by police
Winnipeg Free Press: The death of Tammy Bateman, an unhoused Indigenous woman run over by Winnipeg police, is a horrific event — one that has negatively impacted and traumatized people who are already among the most marginalized and oppressed in our society. In addition to the many questions it raises about police actions — driving...
September 12, 2024
15 days and six Indigenous people have died when coming in contact with police across Canada
Family of ‘Iggy’ Dedam speaks out after he was shot and killed by RCMP. APTN News: Amber Joseph says when she arrived on the scene just after her brother Steven Dedam was shot by the RCMP, she was shocked. “When I came in they didn’t have compression on him,” she told APTN News. “He was...
September 6, 2024
Manitoba corrections officer acquitted in 2021 death of Headingley inmate William Ahmo | CBC News Loaded
Robert Jeffrey Morden pleaded not guilty to criminal negligence last year in death of Headingley inmate WARNING: This story contains disturbing details. CBC Indigenous: A Manitoba corrections officer charged in the 2021 death of an inmate at the Headingley Correctional Centre has been acquitted of all charges. Robert Jeffrey Morden pleaded not guilty to criminal...
July 2, 2024
Federal justice minister quashes murder conviction of Saulteaux man
Allan Woodhouse speaks to reporters as Brian Anderson (right) and his lawyers look on. Photo: APTN File APTN News: Canada’s justice minister has quashed the murder conviction of a Saulteaux man after Innocence Canada intervened in a 50-year-old Manitoba case. Arif Virani said Tuesday he has ordered a new trial for Clarence Woodhouse, who is from...
June 12, 2024
‘It’s quite problematic’: Federal minister questions police decision not to search Winnipeg landfill
A sign outside the courthouse in Winnipeg Monday encouraging authorities to search the Prairie Green Landfill. Photo: Jesse Andrushko/APTN. APTN News: Canada’s minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations says the decision by the Winnipeg Police Service not to search a local landfill for the remains of two First Nations women is “problematic.” Gary Anandasangaree was asked about...
June 5, 2024
Family requests judicial review of Crown decision not to charge Edmonton police officer who kicked teenager
By Danielle Paradis Lawyer calls Crown decision to not charge officer ‘perverse and biased’ in favour of police Photo of Pacey Dumas after police incident. APTN News: The Alberta superior court is being for a judicial review of a decision not to prosecute an Edmonton police officer who kicked an Indigenous teenager in the head. Lawyer...
May 31, 2024
Video captures Winnipeg police officer threatening arrest, swearing at mother
‘I don’t want any other parent to go through that,’ says mother. Warning: This story includes details and language that may be distressing for some readers. APTN News: A mother in Winnipeg says a confrontation with police has left her and her family shaken. Charity Tom, who is Sayisi Dene, says on May 21 at...
May 31, 2024
Video shows VPD officers laughing after woman is shot with beanbag
Click on the following link to view the video: https://bc.ctvnews.ca/video-shows-vpd-officers-laughing-after-woman-is-shot-with-beanbag-1.6908693 Warning: This story includes details that readers may find disturbing. The Tyee: CTV News: A retired judge is assessing whether any alleged police misconduct occurred following an incident involving the Vancouver Police Department and an Indigenous woman who lives in the Downtown Eastside. On April...
May 31, 2024
Judge sets scope of inquest into death of Eishia Hudson, who was shot by Winnipeg police in 2020
No date has been set for inquest into 16-year-old’s death CBC Indigenous: The inquest into the death of 16-year-old Eishia Hudson, who was shot and killed by Winnipeg police in 2020, will determine if systemic racism played a role in her death and examine whether the use and level of force was warranted and/or appropriate....
May 15, 2024
Saskatoon woman raising money for memorial to Starlight Tour victim Neil Stonechild
Stonechild’s death led to judicial inquiry, firing of 2 police officers CBC Indigenous: A Saskatoon woman wants to make sure future generations do not forget Neil Stonechild. Sarah Smokeyday is raising money for a memorial. “Future generations will continue telling his story and acknowledging our community’s history and what has happened to Indigenous people within...
May 2, 2024
Indigenous people can’t trust Thunder Bay police says Julian Falconer, lawyer representing families
APTN News: Families who have lost loved ones in Thunder Bay recently have written to the Inspector General of Policing of Ontario calling for the city’s police services board to be dissolved and the police service disbanded. Long-time lawyer Julian Falconer is representing the families of Corey Belesky and Jenna Ostberg. The calls to disband...
April 27, 2024
Sindy Ruperthouse disappeared 10 years ago. Her family is still waiting for answers
‘We just want to know,’ says father of missing Algonquin woman CBC Indigenous: In 10 years, Johnny Wylde has never changed his phone number. He says he never will. It’s the same one he had on April 23, 2014, the day his daughter, Sindy Ruperthouse, went missing. Even though a decade has passed, he still...
April 26, 2024
Six Nations family pushes Niagara police for answers in man’s death
APTN News: The family of Johnny Cronkwright says they’re not happy with how police investigated his death. Cronkwright, 32 was last seen on Feb. 29 in St. Catherine’s, Ont., about 100 km west of Six Nations. “I don’t know the next steps, but what I do know is somebody needs to be held accountable for...
April 23, 2024
First Nations families who lost loved ones in Thunder Bay seek answers amid renewed heat on police service
Deaths of Corey Belesky, Mackenzie Moonias, Jenna Ostberg still under investigation CBC News: At an emotional news conference in Toronto on Monday, First Nations leaders didn’t hold back when it came to the unresolved deaths of Indigenous people in Thunder Bay. They want the northwestern Ontario city’s police service disbanded and an outside police service to investigate unresolved deaths....
April 22, 2024
First Nations leaders call for Thunder Bay Police Service to be disbanded
Nishnawbe Aski Nation leaders, MPP to address media in Toronto after OPP lays charges against ex-police chief First Nations leaders address issues with Thunder Bay Police Service NDP MPP Sol Mamakwa and leaders of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation speak out about longstanding issues with the Thunder Bay Police Service as the force faces renewed scrutiny...
April 16, 2024
Thunder Bay Police Service faces skepticism about promises of reform after charges against ex-chief
CBC News: As senior leaders of the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) and its oversight board say they are committed to accountability and rebuilding trust with the community, Indigenous leaders in the region say that words are no longer enough and they need to see action. “Trust in the police is not there,” Kiiwetinoong MPP...
April 16, 2024
Thunder Bay police chief vows to rebuild eroding trust after ex-chief arrested
NationTalk: Daily Guardian – Criminal charges against the former Thunder Bay police chief and other high-ranking members have sown further doubt in the credibility of the embattled force in northern Ontario, its current leaders acknowledged Monday as they vowed to rebuild confidence in the service. Chief Darcy Fleury and police board chair Karen Machado held...
April 2, 2024
Chiefs of Ontario to Pursue Litigation Against Ontario over Exclusion of First Nations Laws in New Policing Act
NationTalk: April 1, 2024 – The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) is disappointed that the Ontario government has repeatedly ignored our requests to address the glaring gap contained within the Community Safety and Policing Act, which comes into force today. COO will be moving forward on the promise to take legal action and will be preparing...
March 27, 2024
Saskatoon police using bicycle bylaw as ‘a ruse’ to stop, search and catalogue Indigenous men, lawyer says
Judge reviewed 2 years of ticketing records CBC Indigenous: A Saskatoon defence lawyer says internal police records show officers are using the city’s bicycle bylaw ‘as a ruse’ to stop and search Indigenous men downtown. The city’s police force has fought at two levels of court to have those records suppressed, including what a judge...
March 20, 2024
The OPP doesn’t have to enforce First Nations laws. Indigenous leaders say that’s outrageous — and they want the Ford government to act
Indigenous leaders are urging the province to make it mandatory for Ontario Provincial Police to enforce First Nations laws and bylaws. ByRob FergusonQueen’s Park Bureau Toronto Star: To keep drug traffickers and other criminals at bay, Indigenous leaders are urging the province to make it mandatory for Ontario Provincial Police to enforce First Nations laws...
March 8, 2024
Saskatchewan pays $77K for police inquiry and then limits who can read it
APTN News: The province of Saskatchewan is being criticized for holding a special inquiry into the Prince Albert Police Service and then limiting the people who can read the report’s findings. In November 2022, the province launched a probe into the police service after three people died while in custody. The inquiry was also prompted...
February 29, 2024
Police watchdog finds police used ‘reasonable’ force on man at Sucker Creek First Nation
Report finds police acted reasonably due to the circumstances The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team. Photo: APTN file APTN News: The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, or ASIRT says police acted reasonably in the case of a Sucker Creek First Nation man who was arrested and later hospitalised for several days. On Dec. 11, 2021...
February 9, 2024
Family of James Wood speak about his death following interaction with Winnipeg police
APTN News: The parents of James Wood are speaking for the first time since their son, a father of seven children, died following an incident with Winnipeg police on Jan. 27. “It’s very hard to lose somebody in this way,” said his mother, Carol Wood. “It shouldn’t have happened. There’s no need for what they...
January 10, 2024
PAGC Demands Inquiry into Custodial Death of Young Mother
NationTalk: (Pre-Confederation, Treaty 5, 6, 8 & 10) Prince Albert, Sask. – The Prince Albert Grand Council is demanding a swift and transparent investigation into the death of Tatiana Custer, 23, a mother of a five-year-old, who died in custody at the Pine Grove Correctional Centre on Jan. 3. The young mother is to be...
December 21, 2023
Belleville, Ont., police officers acquitted of assault causing bodily harm in arrest of Mohawk man
One officer was found guilty of the lesser charge of assault Warning: Some details in this story are distressing CBC News: Posted December 20; Updated December 21 An Ontario court found a Belleville, Ont., police officer guilty of assault on Wednesday in the November 2019 takedown of a Mohawk man at a Taco Bell. Both...
December 10, 2023
Parents of woman shot dead by Edmonton police doing welfare check question procedures
“I see my daughter’s death as being a result of a complete mishandling of the tools available to law enforcement in the application of dealing with mental health issues.” The Tyee: The Edmonton Journal – Parents of a woman fatally shot Wednesday by Edmonton police doing a welfare check are questioning procedures that led to her shocking...
December 6, 2023
Deadly Edmonton police shooting caught on video
Cree man died after witnesses say he was tasered APTN News: A Cree man shot and killed by Edmonton police officers on Dec. 3 was remembered at a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening. Friends placed photos and a wreath on a tree near where the shooting occurred in downtown Edmonton. A poster identified the victim as...
November 6, 2023
Video shows unarmed man beaten and tasered by OPP officers
APTN News: Video obtained by APTN News shows an unarmed man being repeatedly beaten and shot with conducted energy weapons by Ontario Provincial Police in the early morning hours of July 10, 2022, in Mactier, Ont., about 200 km north of Toronto. Richard Morgan spent several days in the intensive care unit suffering from a...
November 2, 2023
‘Where was his help?’ Loved ones of man who died in police custody on Sherbrook Street call for answers
IIU investigating death of Elias Whitehead, who died in Winnipeg police custody Oct. 15 CBC Indigenous: The loved ones of a man who died in Winnipeg police custody last month want to know where his help was the night he died. Elias Whitehead died after an encounter with Winnipeg police on Oct. 15 at the intersection...
October 25, 2023
Family of Indigenous man killed in crash devastated, angry with police
George Louttit’s sister feels police interactions laced with cultural bias ‘We just don’t know how to heal,’ says family of man killed in fatal collision: Duration 1:30 Amy Louttit said her family is still searching for answers after her brother, George Louttit, was killed in a fatal collision in Little Italy on Oct. 2. Click on...
October 18, 2023
Watchdog finds race disparity in SIU probes into conduct
Black, Indigenous Ontarians overrepresented in cases, report finds Toronto Star: Black and Indigenous Ontarians are far more likely to be subject to police actions serious enough to lead to a Special Investigations Unit probe, the provincial watchdog says in a new report. Between 2020 and 2021, a Black person was 3.5 times more likely to...
October 16, 2023
Quebec coroner says more diligent police search could have saved life of Cree teen
By The Canadian Press APTN News: The Canadian Press – A Quebec coroner says the death of a 16-year-old girl might have been prevented had police spent more than 10 minutes looking for her. Neebin Icebound died of hypothermia on Oct. 9, 2022, in the Cree community of Waswanipi, about 490 kilometres northwest of Quebec City....
October 11, 2023
‘It will cost people their jobs’: Thunder Bay’s top cop Darcy Fleury says racism won’t be tolerated
Thunder Bay Police Service Chief Darcy Fleury is photographed at police headquarters, in Thunder Bay, Ont. Photo: Chris Young/The Canadian Press. APTN News: The Canadian Press – Thunder Bay police Chief Darcy Fleury knows firsthand what it’s like to experience racism – and that has helped guide his first few months on the job as...
September 5, 2023
Black and Indigenous Concordia students attacked by police
Systemic reforms needed to hold SPVM accountable, victims and advocates say NEWSIness Rifay & Maria Cholakova NationTalk: The Link – On July 22, at 3 a.m., two PhD Concordia students, Amaechi Okafor and Wade Paul, were walking home in the Notre-Dame-De-Grâce neighbourhood when they saw police cruisers on the road dealing with another case. In order to...
August 15, 2023
The VPD Won’t Release a Review of Its Chelsea Poorman Investigation
Police say it could affect their ongoing file on the Cree woman’s disappearance. But her family wants answers. The Tyee: Vancouver police are refusing to release an external RCMP review that examined how the force investigated the disappearance and death of Chelsea Poorman, saying that making the report public could compromise their ongoing investigation. Police...
July 19, 2023
Indigenous leaders call for release of report investigating Saskatchewan police force
“Confidence in the police service at the time was shattered,” says Grand Chief APTN News: The Canadian Press – Indigenous leaders in Saskatchewan are calling for the release of a report into Prince Albert police and transparency for the family of a man who died while in custody. “The faith and trust of our people...
July 19, 2023
PAGC Calls for Immediate Implementation of Special Inquiry Recommendations for PAPS and Inclusion on Police Commissioners Board
NationTalk: (Treaty 5, 6, 8 & 10) Prince Albert, Sask. – The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) is calling for the immediate implementation of the recommendations resulting from a special inquiry into the operations of the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS). The inquiry, conducted by Rod Knecht & Associates Ltd., has identified critical areas that...
July 18, 2023
Prince Albert police review recommendations released by Saskatchewan government
Prince Albert police say ‘issues are being looked at’. Prince Albert police are under fire for an in-custody death. Photo: APTN APTN News: The Canadian Press – A special inquiry into Prince Albert police that took place amid ongoing concerns from Indigenous leaders recommends the Saskatchewan force complete a comprehensive policy review and develop a...
July 12, 2023
Prince Albert, Sask., officer charged with criminal negligence in in-custody death
Prince Albert police are under fire for an in-custody death. Photo: APTN APTN News: A Saskatchewan police officer has been charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life as the beleaguered Prince Albert force tries to maintain public confidence. The 21-year member of the Prince Albert Police Service was...
June 23, 2023
Regina mom wants daughter’s overdose death investigated as possible homicide
APTN News: The mother of a 25-year-old woman who died of a drug overdose on Nov. 8, 2021 is pushing authorities to investigate her daughter’s death as a homicide. “I wish they would see what I see,” said Stacey Desjarlais of Brooke Keewatin-Desjarlais. Stacey and her husband (Brooke’s step-dad) don’t dispute that a drug overdose...
June 22, 2023
Federal justice minister orders new trial for First Nations men convicted of 1970s Winnipeg murder
APTN News: Federal Justice Minister David Lametti has ordered a new trial for two First Nations men from Manitoba who were convicted of the 1973 murder of Ting Fong Chan. Brian Anderson and Allan Woodhouse were convicted in 1974 and sentenced to life with no chance of parole for 10 years. “The Minister has determined...
June 6, 2023
RNC chief publicly acknowledges force’s systemic racism during announcement of Indigenous advisory committee
‘I’d be remiss if I said it didn’t exist,’ says Chief Pat Roche, after previously denying problem CBC News: After a year of avoidance and outright denial, the chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has publicly acknowledged systemic racism exists within the force. Chief Pat Roche has in the past said he didn’t believe the...
June 6, 2023
Three Years Later, No Justice for Chantel Moore
As family and community gathered to send her ashes to sea, the fight must continue. Judith Sayers 6 Jun 2023The Tyee Judith Sayers (Kekinusuqs) is from the Hupacasath First Nation in Port Alberni, B.C. She is president of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council The Tyee: Three years ago, on June 4, Chantel Moore, a Tla-o-qui-aht/Nuu-chah-nulth woman, was shot...
May 19, 2023
Sask. First Nations groups call for inquiry, accountability following report into baby’s death
Report finds two Prince Albert officers failed to check on Tanner Brass, who was found dead hours later Sask. Indigenous leaders want inquiry into police response to domestic abuse case Click on the following link to view the above video: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/sask-first-nations-groups-call-for-inquiry-accountability-following-report-into-baby-s-death-1.6849648 First Nations leaders and a grieving mother say a recent report into the death...
May 16, 2023
Police regularly dismiss, justify violence against Indigenous women, new research finds
Canadian police repeatedly use labels and narratives or storylines when responding to reported cases of violence against Indigenous women and girls, labelling them runaways, drunks, drug addicts or prostitutes.” — Dr. Jerry Flores Windspeaker.com: “Dr. Jerry Flores, an associate professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto Mississauga, has recently co-authored a paper that looked...
April 29, 2023
No charges for Edmonton police constable who kicked Indigenous teen in the head
‘It was clearly a use of force that was intended or likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm,’ ASIRT says CBC News: Originally posted, April 27, updated April 29 – An Edmonton police constable who kicked an Indigenous teenager in the head — leaving him with life-altering injuries — won’t face criminal charges even though Alberta’s police...
April 29, 2023
‘We want justice’ says mother of teen injured by Edmonton Police
Pacey Dumas and his family spoke to the media about the announcement there would not be excessive force charges This article has a brief mention of suicide APTN: The family of Pacey Dumas, a young man who sustained serious injuries at the hands of an Edmonton police officer say their lives have been changed forever....
April 28, 2023
Indigenous people detail violent encounters with Thunder Bay police in human rights complaints
Police say officers complete annual use of force training mandated by province WARNING: This story contains an image that may be disturbing to some readers. CBC News: Indigenous people living in Thunder Bay, Ont., are speaking out about recent encounters with city police they are characterizing as police brutality, and they’re calling for the violence...
April 26, 2023
Man declared brain dead after being stun-gunned multiple times by Prince Albert police taken off life-support
Boden Umpherville, 40, was severely injured during an arrest on April 1 Warning: This story contains details some readers may find graphic. CBC News: A Prince Albert, Sask., man has been taken off life-support weeks after an altercation with police left him brain dead. At least six members of the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS)...
April 23, 2023
Sask. man at centre of historic ‘Starlight Tours’ police misconduct case has died
Darrell Night spoke out after he was left by police to freeze outside Saskatoon in January 2000 CBC News: A man who spoke out more than 20 years ago after being taken on a “Starlight Tour” by Saskatoon police has died. In January of 2000, Darrell Night was driven out of the city by two Saskatoon police officers...
April 21, 2023
Family of man left brain dead after incident with Prince Albert police seeking answers
Officers used stun guns, pepper-sprayed Boden Umpherville, 40, during arrest on April 1 WARNING: This story contains graphic content. CBC News: The family of Boden Umpherville is still searching for answers about what led to the man being stun-gunned and seriously injured by members of the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) several weeks ago. Umpherville,...
April 14, 2023
Report on troubled Thunder Bay police board brings hope but also doubt amid warning change will take time
Administrator of board in northwestern Ontario acknowledges ‘huge challenges … from generations of our past’ CBC News: Community leaders and stakeholders in Thunder Bay, Ont., say they are watching carefully for the police service’s next steps in the wake of a major report tabled to the police oversight board Thursday night. The report, written by a...
April 8, 2023
Vancouver Police announces official changes to handcuffing policy
Change follows Police Act complaint after wrongful handcuffing of retired judge Selwyn Romilly in 2021 CBC News: The Vancouver Police Department announced that it has officially updated its handcuffing policy, requiring officers to take into account a person’s age, ethnicity, and the seriousness of an alleged incident prior to applying handcuffs. The announcement follows interim changes to...
February 28, 2023
Families Charge ‘Police Neglect’ over Missing Person Investigations
The families of Chelsea Poorman, Noelle O’Soup and Tatyanna Harrison rallied at a Vancouver police station to call for change. The Tyee: The families of Noelle O’Soup, Tatyanna Harrison and Chelsea Poorman called out the Vancouver Police Department for its handling of the cases at a rally on Monday, saying they no longer trust police...
February 26, 2023
Quebec Inuit jailed 15 times more than provincial incarceration average
617 Inuit were jailed from March 2021 to March 2022 CBC News: Osman Ilgun was arrested in September 2021 and soon transferred to a detention centre 1,500 kilometres away from his home in the Inuit community of Quaqtaq in Quebec’s Nunavik region. At the jail in Amos, Que., he was fed raw food — he...
February 23, 2023
Researchers fill data gap on police-involved killings
‘When these numbers are not tracked, it’s a lot easier to dismiss the magnitude of the problem’ CBC News: Joanne MacIsaac recalls the day in 2013 when she found out police had shot and killed her brother Michael. “Something like that changes you,” MacIsaac said. Michael MacIsaac was shot dead by a Durham police officer...
December 21, 2022
Unanimous Decision of the Quebec Court of Appeal: Governments urged to end underfunding of Indigenous police services across Canada
NationTalk: MASHTEUIATSH, QC, VANCOUVER, BC and WENDAKE, QC, Dec. 21, 2022– The federal and provincial governments are being called upon to accept the findings of the Quebec Court of Appeal in the matter of the underfunding of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan police services and to end the chronic underfunding of Indigenous police services across the country. In response to the ruling...
December 5, 2022
AFN Stands With Kiashke Zaaging Anishinabek (Gull Bay First Nation) In Action Against Canada For Inequitable Funding And Support For First Nation Police Services
NationTalk: (Ottawa, ON) – Today, Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay First Nation) Chief Wilfred King has launched a legal action in Federal Court against Public Safety Canada and other federal departments in response to the inequitable funding of First Nations Police Services. King, along with Legal Counsel Chantelle Bryson (Potestio Law) announced the legal action...
October 28, 2022
Gull Bay First Nation Complaints of Anti-Indigenous Racism by the OPP – Armstrong Detachment Go Unanswered By OPP Commissioner
NationTalk: Gull Bay First Nation is a community approximately 250 kilometers northeast of Thunder Bay ON, near the village of Armstrong. GBFN has filed three (3) formal complaints of anti-Indigenous racism, discrimination and harassment in OPP services with OPP Commissioner Carrique which have gone wholly unaddressed despite their severity and the passage of many months....
October 19, 2022
Newfoundland and Labrador police force admits systemic racism, commits to improving
CityNews: Canadian Press: ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial police force has acknowledged systemic racism within its ranks, as well as the contribution of police to the injustices faced by Indigenous and other racialized people. ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial police force has acknowledged systemic racism within its ranks, as...
October 12, 2022
RNC chief’s refusal to acknowledge systemic racism ‘very troubling,’ says Indigenous group
First Voice calls on Pat Roche to reconsider his assertion that systemic racism isn’t a problem in the RNC CBC News: St. John’s-based Indigenous group says it’s deeply disappointed that Pat Roche, chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, hasn’t responded to repeated requests that he reconsider his position that there is no systemic racism in the RNC. CBC...
September 28, 2022
Heiltsuk Grandfather and Granddaughter Reach Ground-Breaking Agreement with Vancouver Police Board to Settle Human Rights Complaints
Agreement includes damages, a significant community investment, and a two-year collaborative policy-making process to fight systemic racism, with progress to be reviewed and reported on publicly by the BC Human Rights Commissioner. NationTalk: VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA (Sept 28, 2022) – Heiltsuk First Nation members Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter, have reached a ground-breaking agreement with the...
September 1, 2022
NS Government: Committee Recommendations on Collection of Race-Based Police Data
Government of Nova Scotia: The Province is accepting all recommendations by the committee established to review models for gathering race-based information from police stops. The Wortley Report Research Committee’s report, Collection of Race-Based Police Data in Nova Scotia, makes recommendations in the areas of policy development, training, compliance and monitoring, communication, data analysis, evaluation and...
August 15, 2022
Native Women’s Association of Canada calls for the return of Dawn Walker to Canada
“The fear and lack of choice that Dawn Walker says drove her decision to flee to the United States is reflected in the thousands of testimonies heard by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls who faced systemic discrimination on all fronts – we need to act on the Calls to...
July 5, 2022
Killings in NB: The mandate of N.B.’s systemic racism commissioner perpetuates the problem
New Brunswick has skirted Indigenous demands for a public inquiry into the justice system by naming the commissioner, her former senior adviser writes. Policy Options: Robert Tay-Burroughs – If New Brunswick’s government is looking for an example of systemic racism at work in the province, it need look no further than the mandate it gave...
June 24, 2022
Six First Nations chiefs call for end to New Brunswick commission on systemic racism
Global News: The six chiefs of New Brunswick’s Wolastoqey Nation are calling on Premier Blaine Higgs to scrap his commission on systemic racism. In a statement issued Friday morning, the Mi’kmaq chiefs said the premier will be wasting time and money if he allows the commission to continue because it lacks independence. “Provincial government departments...
May 20, 2022
Coroner’s Inquest recommendations into death of Chantal Moore in NB
FREDERICTON (GNB) – Recommendations related to police interventions, training and equipment were made following the coroner’s inquest into the death of Chantel Moore. The inquest was held May 16-19 in Fredericton. Moore, who lived in Edmundston, died on June 4, 2020, following an Edmundston Police Force intervention that took place at her home. An inquest...
April 6, 2022
Wrongful Detainment: VPD officers commit professional misconduct
Heiltsuk Nation: Vancouver – Retired judge Brian Neal, Q.C., has decided VPD officers committed professional misconduct by recklessly arresting and handcuffing Maxwell Johnson and his 12-year-old granddaughter on December 20, 2019, while the two were trying to open a bank account for her at the Bank of Montreal. He found that the granddaughter and grandfather presented...
March 2, 2022
Call for investigation into Prince Albert Police Service over death of Indigenous infant
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), and Thunderchild First Nation – are calling for a Coroner’s Inquest and an immediate intervention from the Ministry of Corrections and Public Safety of the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS). We are also calling for an independent investigation into the conduct of the PAPS...
December 23, 2021
Indigenous deaths in Winnipeg
NationTalk –The family of Eishia Hudson, who was 16 years old at the time of her fatal shooting by the Winnipeg Police Service, filed a civil claim for damages on behalf of their grieving family today. The unnamed police officers who drew their weapons are named as Defendants in the claim for acts of recklessness,...
December 14, 2021
Class Action lawsuit against Sûreté du Québec
Trudel Johnston & Lespérance (TJL) – A law firm representing Val-d’Or Native Friendship Centre v. Attorney General of Québec. The purpose of this class action is to condemn the discriminatory practices and abuses committed against Indigenous people committed by certain officers of the Sûreté du Québec (the “SQ”) working in the Vallée-de-l’Or RMC (i.e. Val...
November 24, 2021
BC Human Rights Commission Report on Police Reform
BC Human Rights Commission – Released written submission, “Equity is Safer: Human rights considerations for policing reform in British Columbia,” to the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act (SCORPA), which makes recommendations to address a disturbing pattern of discrimination in policing in our province. BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner’s (BCOHRC) includes expert...
November 24, 2021
Killings in New Brunswick: Indigenous boycott of government’s “Inquiry”
Wolastoqey Chiefs – For the last 17 months, we have been clear that an Indigenous-led independent inquiry is needed to review systemic racism against Indigenous people in New Brunswick. In a letter sent today to the Commissioner, we have declined to participate in the Higgs government’s ill-equipped and ineffective alternative to an inquiry into systemic...
October 21, 2021
Wrongful Detainment: Heiltsuk Nation members
Heiltsuk Nation – The Heiltsuk Nation and Maxwell Johnson are disappointed by the secret and exclusionary process that the Vancouver Police Board and VPD have carried out to consider a new handcuffing policy. This type of colonial top-down decision making does not support reconciliation. “Neither the nation nor the complainants were: advised that the board...
October 11, 2021
Coroner’s findings in death of Rodney Levi
Government of New Brunswick – Recommendations related to police interventions and mental health services were made following the coroner’s inquest into the death of Rodney Levi who died on June 12, 2020, following an RCMP intervention that took place at a residence in Sunny Corner. The inquest found Levi’s death was a homicide…defined as any...
October 4, 2021
SCO Survey on MMIWG Calls for Justice
Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO) – “Only 53% of murder cases involving [Indigenous] women and girls have led to charges of homicide. This is dramatically different from the national clearance rate for homicides in Canada, which was last reported as 84%” (NWAC, 2011). Governments and Canadian institutions now need to fully implement the Calls for Justice....
September 24, 2021
Killings in New Brunswick: Appointment of Commissioner
The provincial government has appointed Manju Varma as the commissioner on systemic racism to develop an understanding of the nature and impact of systemic racism in New Brunswick. The commissioner, who will operate independently from government, will focus on the following objectives: Conducting a public consultation on the nature and impact of systemic racism on...
August 12, 2021
Wrongful Detainment: Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter
Union of BC Indian Chiefs – The BC Human Rights Tribunal (BCHRT) decision to allow the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) and their counsel, Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, to intervene in an ongoing BC human rights complaint against the VPD for the racial profiling and wrongful detainment of Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter outside...
August 9, 2021
Survey on racism experiences
Aug. 9, 2021: Southern Chiefs Organization – Released a new report on First Nation experiences of racism when dealing with police services across Manitoba: “SCO’s First Nation Experiences of Racism in Policing Survey” “A majority of our citizens face racism, and even violence and intimidation, when interacting with police officers that are meant to serve...
June 16, 2021
Wrongful Detainment: Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond appointed by UBCIC
Union of BC Indian Chiefs – and Heiltsuk Nation announced today that Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, former judge and Senior Associate Counsel with Woodward & Company, will be applying to intervene on behalf of UBCIC in an ongoing BC human rights case against the VPD for the wrongful detainment of Maxwell Johnson and his granddaughter,...
June 14, 2021
Reinvestigation of Indigenous deaths
June 14, 2021: Matawa Chiefs Council – “The Matawa Chiefs Council supports the recommendations from the Ontario Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) for the reinvestigation into nine sudden deaths involving Indigenous people. Reinvestigations include three First Nation’s youth from the Seven Youth Inquest including our own Webequie First Nation youth Jordan Wabasse who tragically died...
March 5, 2021
Racism in Québec: Zero Tolerance
March 5, 2021: In response to the Viens Commission, the MMIWG Inquiry and ZERO TOLERANCE, the government of Québec announced an investment of $19.2M in the following areas: Hiring additional Indigenous workers responsible for providing crime victims assistance services ($7.7 million): These workers will be deployed in the CAVAC network and in Indigenous organizations that...
January 29, 2021
Indigenous deaths in Winnipeg
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC), the family of the late Eishia Hudson, along with other First Nation leadership in Manitoba, including Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. (MKO), Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre Leah Gazan and Nahanni Fontaine, NDP Critic for MMIWG and Justice issue the following joint statement. We are profoundly disappointed with the...
January 28, 2021
Trespass Prevention Program
NationTalk – A coalition of Indigenous, women, Downtown Eastside, and legal organizations are voicing their opposition to the Vancouver Police Department’s Trespass Prevention Program, which authorizes police officers to remove people without a call for 911 service if they have allegedly violated the provincial Trespass Act. States Chief Don Tom, Vice President of the Union...
January 28, 2021
Indigenous deaths in Winnipeg
Southern Chief’s Organization – Through consultation with the Crown’s Office and an expert on the use of lethal force in police services, officials say they did not find justification to lay criminal charges against the officer who shot and killed Eishia. The Independent Investigation Unit Only eleven hours after Eishia’s killing, the police shot and...
January 4, 2021
Killings in New Brunswick: Business leaders join call for public inquiry
Huddle – Business leaders are joining the call for a public inquiry into systemic racism within the New Brunswick justice system. An open letter was written by a group of Indigenous, community, and business leaders as a call for action on systemic racism in New Brunswick. It was sent to Premier Blaine Higgs and Aboriginal...
December 17, 2020
Police Street Checks: Review of VPB commissioned street check study
Former BC Information and Privacy Commissioner will conduct a review of the Vancouver Police Board-commissioned street check” study that kept allegations from being publicized of officers making racist and inappropriate comments about vulnerable and marginalized people...
December 16, 2020
Killings in New Brunswick: Boycott of “All- Parties Working Group on Truth and Reconciliation”
The Mi’gmaq and Wolastoqyik Chiefs – First Nations chiefs have announced that they will not be participating in the “All-Parties Working Group on Truth and Reconciliation” announced by the Province on December 3, 2020. “Based on last week’s vote, it is clear the Higgs government is not interested in solutions from indigenous leaders” said Chief...
December 15, 2020
Racism in Québec: Zero Tolerance
Release of “Racism in Québec: ZERO TOLERANCE: Report of the Groupe d’action contre le racism”. Initially announced in June 15, 2020 “The Groupe d’action contre le racism” was specifically asked to develop a series of effective actions to fight against racism by identifying which sectors have high-priority needs for measures in this area, particularly public...
November 16, 2020
Killings in New Brunswick: Silence from Government in response to call for inquiry
Two months after winning the provincial election and seven weeks after he appointed his cabinet, none of the six Wolastoqey Chiefs have heard anything from Premier Blaine Higgs or Aboriginal Affairs Minister Arlene Dunn. The Chiefs have mounted a campaign to convince MPs to vote in support of a motion calling for an independent inquiry...
November 4, 2020
City of Montreal Reconciliation Strategy
Nov. 4, 2020: The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) welcomes the announcement by the City of Montreal which today unveiled its Reconciliation Strategy with Indigenous peoples. This initiative by the City of Montreal is an appropriate response to the Public Inquiry Commission on relations between Indigenous Peoples and certain public services in Quebec (Viens...
September 29, 2020
AFN-QL Action Plan on Racism
AFNQL released its “Action Plan on Racism and Discrimination: Engaging with First Nations Against Racism and Discrimination” identifies 39 Recommendations and 141 specific actions that the following groups can undertake to advance reconciliation across all aspects of life in Quebec: Individual citizens 1 20 Organizations and Groups 8 18 Media 2 9 Education 4 15...
September 20, 2020
Killings in New Brunswick: Minister of Aboriginal Affairs fired
CBC – Premier Higgs has removed Jake Stewart from his position as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and folded Aboriginal Affairs in with the duties and responsibilities of the Minister of Economic Development and Small Business, Minister responsible for Opportunities New Brunswick and Minister responsible for Immigration. The premier refused to respond to a survey on...
September 7, 2020
Police Street Checks: Call for complete ban
BCCLA, UBCIC, Black Lives Matter – Vancouver, Hogan’s Alley Society and Wish Drop-in Centre Society – have written a letter and petition to the Mayor Kennedy Stewart and premier John Horgan, co-signed by 87 other organizations and another 8,265 individuals calling for an immediate ban on police street checks: https://act.bccla.org/banstreetchecks On July 30, 2020, Commissioner...
August 31, 2020
McDonald-Laurier Report on Systemic Racism in Policing
MacDonald-Laurier Institute – “Systemic racism in policing in Canada and approaches to fixing it,” argues that the fault for this lies primarily with political leaders who set the framework conditions and constraints for the delivery of police services. This commentary is based on the author’s written submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on...
August 27, 2020
Death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet: No charges laid
Toronto Star – Special Investigations Unit (SIU) concluded no criminal charges should be laid against any of the seven police officers in the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet. The detailed report documented “systemic racism exists and continues to challenge the relationship between racialized communities and the institutions of our justice system”. Immediate outcomes of the death...
August 12, 2020
AFN-QL Action Plan on Racism
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) – announces that it is developing its own action plan to address discrimination and racism. The action group against racism created by the Legault government is composed solely of members of the party in power and has little credibility in the eyes of First Nations leaders. Premier Legault has...
July 23, 2020
McDonald-Laurier Report on Systemic Racism in Policing
The CBC “Deadly Force” database indicates that the RCMP are 3x more likely to use lethal force than other police forces in Canada. The CBC data found that 68 per cent of people killed in police encounters were suffering with some kind of mental illness, addiction or both. “When we get broader statistical information that...
July 10, 2020
Death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet: Campaign Research survey
Toronto Star – The Campaign Research survey for the Toronto Star revealed 68% of respondents believed “Black people and/or Indigenous people and/or other people from racialized communities are treated worse by police than other citizens and 90 per cent want mandatory body cameras for all officers. Campaign Research principal Nick Kouvalis said the findings should...
July 9, 2020
Killings in New Brunswick: Wolastoqey Nation Terms of Reference for Inquiry
Wolastoqey Nation – Proposed terms of reference for an independent inquiry into systemic racism against Indigenous people were released today by the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick. “For hundreds of years, a regime of systemic racism has been built up in this province and this country against its Indigenous peoples,” said Chief Ross Perley of...
June 25, 2020
Police Street Checks: questions about Pyxix-authored VPB Street Check Review
BCCLA and UBCIC have released a letter to the Vancouver Police Board calling into question the objectivity, methodology, and findings of the Pyxis-authored Vancouver Police Board Street Check Review, and requesting the disclosure of any and all draft reviews, field notes, or ancillary materials from Pyxis. They identified a discrepancy between the final report as...
June 15, 2020
Killings in New Brunswick: AFN Comment
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde said “The only way to overcome racism in Canada’s policing agencies is to impose systemic change and a zero-tolerance policy aimed at eliminating the excessive use of force”. The killings of two Indigenous people in New Brunswick – 26 year-old Chantal Moore in Edmundston during a “wellness...
June 10, 2020
Police Street Checks
June 10, 2020: The BC Civil Liberties Association, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and Hogan’s Alley Society – are calling on Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart, who is also the Vancouver Police Board Chair and Board Spokesperson, to immediately put a stop to police street checks in Vancouver. A recent review of VPD street checks provided clear...
June 10, 2020
City of Montreal Reconciliation Strategy
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), Quebec Native Women (QNW), Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal and Resilience Montreal – have joined voices to condemn acts of police violence against Indigenous people and women in particular. The latest incident – the dispatch of 17 police officers in multiple cars along with a K-9 unit to confront...
June 10, 2020
Death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet: Call for outside agency review
CBC – Knia Singh, the lawyer for the family of Regis Korchinski-Paquet is calling for the provincial police watchdog investigating her fall from a Toronto balcony to either turn over its probe to an outside agency or share the evidence gathered so far, saying the process as it stands now “limits transparency.” Defence lawyer Knia...
May 28, 2020
Death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet
CBC – What began as a 911 call for help for Regis Korchinski-Paquet ended in her death. What happened inside the apartment is still unclear. Ontario’s police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, is looking into the death....
April 22, 2020
Indigenous deaths in Winnipeg
Vice News – The IBA is calling for an inquiry after the recent shooting deaths of two men and a 16-yerold girl within 10 days. What is the WPS track record when it comes to Indigenous deaths: 2000 – 20017: 19 deaths at the hand of police (11were Indigenous) 2019: of the four shooting victims,...
April 16, 2020
Indigenous deaths in Winnipeg
Indigenous Bar Association – Despite numerous calls by local Indigenous and human rights groups to address deep-seated institutional racism, WPS members continue to display problematic and oppressive behaviours. Dubbed “Canada’s most racist city” by Maclean’s magazine in 2015, the WPS has provided insufficient training to their members to effectively de-escalate situations, specifically those involving Indigenous...
January 15, 2020
Killings in New Brunswick: No details released on police shootings
The Native Women’s Association of Canada – Neither the New Brunswick Prosecutions Service nor the New Brunswick Coroner have released details of the investigation into the police shooting of Chantal Moore conducted by the Quebec-based agency BEI that weas delivered to them in December....
October 8, 2019
Street Checks: Indigenous women stopped 11 x more than a white women
Montreal Gazette – Indigenous Peoples were two times more likely to be stopped in 2014, the report shows, they became six times more likely in 2017. The likelihood of an Indigenous woman being checked by officers was also found to be 11 times higher than a white woman. The researchers behind the report, mandated by...