'It has to stop': Canada's Aboriginal Peoples on deaths of Indigenous folks in police custody
The over-representation of Indigenous people in Canada's justice system and the number of deaths of Indigenous people at the hands of police has the vice-chief of national Indigenous organization up in arms.
“85 percent of all inmates in provincial custody from Ontario west are Indigenous,” Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) national vice-Chief Kim Beaudin said. “It feels at times like Indigenous people are being targeted by police. We call Saskatchewan `the Alabama of the north,' and the authorities here haven't given us any reason to conclude otherwise.
“Systemic racism, discrimination and prejudice among police forces is not just an American problem,” Beaudin said.“The cases of Pacey Dumas (Edmonton), Chris Amyotte (Vancouver), William Favel (Saskatoon), and Chantel Moore (Edmundston) are just a few examples of police brutality and death here in Canada.”
According to a recent Statistics Canada report, Indigenous people were twice more likely than non-Indigenous people to have little or no confidence in their local police service, Beaudin said.
The differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in this regard were greatest in Saskatchewan and in the territories.
Several police forces, including the Vancouver Police Department and Edmonton Police Service have refused to address this latest tragedy, and continue business as usual, CAP said in a statement. On Tuesday, Beaudin said Indigenous people are often targeted, followed and harassed unnecessarily by police.
“It happens all the time! Police will see an Indigenous person walking down the street and follow them, find a reason to hassle them, and often, what happens next is an escalation of that harassment,” he said.
Indigenous Peoples' have long been over-represented in Canada's justice system and police forces must take responsibility for their role in this injustice, said CAP's national Chief.
“Police brutality is rooted in racism and discrimination, regardless of whether it's in the United States or Canada,” said National Chief Elmer St. Pierre. “Leaders must ensure police officers are given cultural training and taught to de-escalate situations rather than turning to violence.”
Beaudin said any deaths at the hands of police is a tragedy, but when this many Indigenous people are dying - despite representing 10 percent of Canada's population - it's part of disturbing trend.
“It has to stop. And it has to stop now,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.