Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about overpolicing and police brutally happening in the Tlicho communities.
I have had many of my constituents step forward to share their negative experiences with the RCMP and the fear they have about their safety with the RCMP.
Mr. Speaker, in the last year, some of these have been publicized by the media. However, these are just a few of those incidents that have been made public. Many are never made public or formal complaints have not been made.
The current complaint process is burdensome, and for many Indigenous people the complaint process is not accessible or culturally safe. Mr. Speaker, many Tlicho people are worried about their safety with the RCMP. They are afraid they will be wrongly accused or treated inhumanely.
There have been many, many incidents of being disrespected. Racist remarks, aggressive handling, bullying and intimidation, especially towards Indigenous women. This is violence against Indigenous people, and it is totally unacceptable.
Indigenous women face the threat of violence every day. The experiences of trauma and violence is connected to the legacy of colonizations and policies aimed at erasing Indigenous people and families. The RCMP needs to protect Indigenous women and not harm Indigenous women.
Mr. Speaker, there is a long history of mistrust between Indigenous people and the RCMP. The RCMP must be respectful and build positive relationships with Tlicho people in the communities and all the Indigenous people in the territory. Mr. Speaker, can I have unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted
Earlier this year Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, ITK, shared a plan to change the relationship between Inuit people and the RCMP. The Northwest Territories needs the same thing a plan to develop respectful relationships between Indigenous people in the territory and RCMP. Mr. Speaker, the time is now for the RCMP to commit to improving relations with Indigenous people. The territory needs officers who work well with the people and communities who have empathy and providing services that are culturally safe.
Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Minister of Justice. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Frame Lake.
