History of systemic racism between RCMP and First Nations must be addressed: B.C. chief

Jun 11, 20200

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Chief Joe Alphonse, pictured outside the Tletinqox'in band office during the 2017 wildfires, has fought his own battles with awareness surrounding Indigenous issues within the RCMP. Angie Mindus/Williams Lake Tribune file photo

Leaders of the Tsilhqot'in Nation are calling on the Canadian government to address systemic racism within policing, particularly between First Nations and the RCMP.

Tribal Chair Chief Joe Alphonse is calling for change on behalf of six Tsilhqot'in communities, located in B.C.'s Interior, following what he said has been years of trying to get the government's and RCMP's attention on the issue.

"We stand in solidarity with the protests against police brutality and racism against black people, Indigenous people and people of colour in the United States and Canada. Our people have been taking a stand against racism for a long time. This is not new, but recent events have provided the opportunity for our people to come forward with their experiences of injustice," Alphonse stated in a news release.

https://www.peacearchnews.com/news/history-of-systemic-racism-between-rcmp-and-first-nations-must-be-addressed-chief/