Colten Boushie (Facebook)

By paNOW Staff

reconciliation

PAGC responds to report on RCMP investigation into Boushie death

Mar 23, 2021 | 8:51 PM

The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) says it supports the recommendations made in the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) report examining the RCMP’s investigation into the death of Colten Boushie.

The PAGC added it supports the recommendations that will lead to justice and policing reform, and called for a continued need for more objectivity and accountability in law enforcement.

In a media release late Tuesday, the PAGC noted the independent oversight agency found the RCMP’s treatment toward Colten Boushie’s mother was discriminatory during both the investigation and in its follow up. The CRCC also found and reiterated that there was no evidence that Boushie had participated in any property offences. The RCMP’s messaging made Boushie appear to be a criminal and helped to fuel racially motivated tensions in the follow up coverage.

“It is clear the system had failed Colton Boushie and his family—what they endured was unacceptable and unjust, “Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said in the release.

“We can also relate to the family’s frustration and lack of trust related to policing policy and procedures, which PAGC has raised with the RCMP’s leadership. This case matters to us because our First Nations people continue to experience historical injustices at the hands of the RCMP, and the findings of this report speak to the need to reform the justice sector and policing.

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“At a virtual forum hosted by the Assembly of First Nation on First Nations policing, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki acknowledges ‘the role of the RCMP in enforcing racist and discriminatory legislation and policies’ and as ‘obviously part of social structures and systems that have perpetuated racism in Canada,’” Hardlotte said.

“To address these systemic issues, PAGC is continuing our calls for the establishment of an independent oversight committee – it will help to ensure more objectivity and accountability in law enforcement, which we believe is one of the key components that will bring us closer to truth and justice, as well as that of peace and reconciliation,” Hardlotte said.

panews@jpbg.ca