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Trudeau’s refusal to decide to an inquiry on systemic racism in policing is ‘a transparent indication that he doesn’t assist First Nations,’ stated one chief
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The Canadian Press
Alessia Passafiume
Printed Dec 05, 2024 • Final up to date 8 hours in the past • 4 minute learn
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AFN Nationwide Chief Cindy Woodhouse reveals Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the place to take a seat as he arrives for a panel through the Meeting of First Nations Particular Chiefs Meeting in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. Photograph by Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
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OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau didn’t decide to holding a nationwide inquiry on systemic racism in policing Thursday morning whilst he acknowledged the ache of First Nations moms who’ve needed to bury their kids after an interplay with police.
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Trudeau was addressing the Meeting of First Nations gathering in Ottawa two days after the chiefs handed a decision calling for an inquiry into policing and police-related deaths.
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That decision got here after 9 First Nations folks have been killed in lower than 4 weeks in August and September.
Three ladies whose little kids died throughout or after an interplay with police made an emotional plea for the federal government to reform the RCMP.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for four-and-a-half years,” stated Martha Martin, whose son and daughter died in 2020 after interactions with police.
“How many more of our people have to die by your police?” she stated via tears as she stood on the microphone, addressing Trudeau and a handful of ministers.
“It’s time to sit down with us, and it’s time to start making changes.”
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Most attendees stood in assist as she, Claudette Korchinski-Paquet and Edith Wells — who misplaced their daughter and son after interactions with police, respectively — demanded higher for his or her households and others.
“Shame on Canada,” one delegate shouted earlier than Trudeau acknowledged the moms, and stated none of them ought to have needed to bury their kids.
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“I’m also committed to doing everything in my power as a government to try to fix this, to try to change and address the systemic discrimination,” he stated.
“We’re in a very, very imperfect world, and are reminded of it regularly.”
Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige known as Trudeau’s actions “cowardly.”
She stated by not committing to name an inquiry, he’s permitting Canada to stay complicit in systemic discrimination.
“It’s a clear indication that he does not support First Nations and their quest for the truth,” she stated.
Solely after the inquiry will justice occur, she stated, and till then First Nations folks will proceed to endure.
Thursday marked the tip of the three-day meeting, which targeted closely on reforming the kid welfare system and the harms performed by police in First Nations communities.
Canadian politicians typically present as much as the December meeting to pitch their case on why they’re finest suited to work with First Nations and take questions from chiefs.
Whereas chiefs are sometimes keen to carry leaders to account after they deal with the Meeting of First Nations, the dial was turned up greater than regular, particularly for NDP Chief Jagmeet Singh — who is usually acquired warmly by chiefs who line as much as take images with him — and for Trudeau, who campaigned in 2015 on constructing higher relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
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Singh spent a good portion of his talking time blasting Conservative Chief Pierre Poilievre for his document on Indigenous points, and praised a few of his MPs for his or her work.
Poilievre was invited to talk however didn’t.
After Singh spoke and the ground was opened as much as questions, chiefs informed him the Meeting of First Nations shouldn’t be a marketing campaign path, and that reconciliation means motion. One other chief stated they’ve requested to fulfill with him however haven’t acquired a response, which Singh apologized for.
“I’m trying to get out to as many nations as I can,” he stated. “Being on the ground is the best way to speak with and connect with the community.”
Bloc Quebecois Chief Yves-Francois Blanchet addressed the meeting solely in French.
Mohawk Council of Kahnawake Grand Chief Cody Diabo confronted Blanchet, saying Quebec sees itself as a sovereign nation with out respecting the sovereignty of First Nations.
“My ancestors were here while yours arrived on boats,” stated Diabo, to applause within the room.
“We can have a conversation about what our relationship should be, and how your people can start packing up.”
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Blanchet was booed when he informed chiefs he’s delicate to the actual fact French folks got here to this land a couple of hundred years in the past, however that they want to pay attention to the present second.
Trudeau, who was flanked by Justice Minister Arif Virani, Indigenous Providers Minister Patty Hajdu, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, equally bore the brunt of chiefs’ frustrations.
The panel got here to an in depth after taking six questions from chiefs, although a number of stood on the microphone.
After Trudeau and the ministers rose and tried to depart, they have been heckled by chiefs, after which they stayed for extra questions.
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