NationTalk: (Lheidli T’enneh Territory, Prince George – The BCAFN is outraged by the abhorrent behaviour of RCMP officers in recent months and the lack of action taken by our federal and provincial elected officials responsible for oversight over our policing institutions. BCAFN is calling for immediate action to recognize First Nations jurisdiction over policing and the provision of adequate funding to First Nations Policing organizations to ensure that our communities are safe and secure and so that policing institutions are held accountable to our communities.

It has been revealed that RCMP officers in a private group conversation have been found to have made sexist, racist and misogynistic comments targeting women and members of the Black, Mexican and First Nations communities. Including using racist stereotypes and refusing to “[go] to the reserve,” further stating:

“We’re not going there because we’re not going to help those people.”

These statements directly conflict with the RCMP’s mandate to provide policing services to First Nations reserves, for which they receive significant funding.

This is despite an ongoing Canadian Human Rights Tribunal dispute between First Nations Police Chiefs and Canada over the discriminatory underfunding of police services and Canada’s inability to ensure the same services provided to Canadians are experienced by First Nations on reserve, a contravention of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ (UNDRIP) Articles 7, 23, and 34.

“Why is the RCMP receiving funding to administer services to First Nations communities when this level of racism, bias and unacceptable treatment of Indigenous peoples continues to be permitted?” stated Regional Chief Terry Teegee of the BCAFN. “Canada needs to transfer this funding to First Nations Policing Organizations and recognize First Nations rights and jurisdiction over policing within our own communities and territories as an immediate priority.”

This behaviour is representative of an ongoing systemic failure by the RCMP and policing oversight bodies, including the Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc, to ensure its officers’ interactions with vulnerable communities are respectful, without bias, committed to de-escalation and reflects Indigenous Rights and Title.

This abhorrent behaviour comes after the unconnected deaths of nine First Nations people at the hands of Canadian police over the past four weeks, including:

• Jack Piché, 31, Clear Water Dené Nation, struck by an RCMP vehicle. August 29, 2024.
• Hoss Lightning-Saddleback, 15, Samson Cree Nation, shot by RCMP after calling the RCMP for help. August 30, 2024.
• Tammy Bateman, 30s, Roseau River Anishinaabe, struck by a Winnipeg Police Service’s vehicle. September 2, 2024.
• Jason West, 57, shot by Windsor police. September 06, 2024.
• Stevan Dedam, 33, Elsipogtog First Nation, shot by RCMP during a wellness check. September 08, 2024.
• Daniel Knife, Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, shot by RCMP. September 8, 2024. 
• Ronald Skunk, 59, Mishkeegogamang First Nation, died in Ontario Provincial Police custody, September 14, 2024.
• Jon Wells, 42, Blood Tribe, died in Calgary Police custody. September 17, 2024.
• Joey Desjarlais, 34, Fishing Lake First Nation, confrontation with RCMP. September 24, 2024.

There is a deep lack of trust between First Nations and the RCMP, which is directly a result of RCMP’s negligence and an unwillingness to recognize and address ongoing systemic racism within the organization. Much of this stems from the history of the RCMP being rooted in the enforcement of the Indian Act and the forced removal of Indigenous children from their communities, homes and cultures.

With the recognition of the UNDRIP in federal and provincial law, and the recent recognition of First Nations rights and jurisdiction over children and family services, it is time we begin to recognize First Nations jurisdiction over policing as a pragmatic and rational response to many of the issues which continue to arise with the RCMP and its relationship with First Nations peoples across this county.
For further information, contact:

Annette Schroeter
BC Assembly of First Nations
(778) 281-1655