The situation of Aboriginal women in Val-d’Or is not isolated case
Press Release
Kahnawake, April 1st, 2016 – Following the March 31th episode of “Enquête” on ICI Radio-Canada on the situation of violence against Aboriginal women in Quebec, Quebec Native Women (QNW) would like to reiterate its demand for the establishment of an independent committee of police agencies to investigate the allegations of abuse of power by Sûreté du Québec police officers. QNW would also like to highlight the courage of the women who have denounced these unacceptable abusive behaviours.
Last October, the show “Enquête” reported on Aboriginal women’s allegations of abuse by several Sûreté du Québec police officers in Val-d’Or. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, a wave of denunciations followed the broadcast, confirming that the situation in Val-d’Or was only the tip of the iceberg. This demonstrates that racism and discrimination are still very much present within police institutions and QNW urgently request the establishment of uniform training on the history and realities of Aboriginal people.
QNW would like to restate that this issue goes well beyond law enforcement institutions; Quebec’s society in general is not well informed regarding the history and realities of Aboriginal people, which in consequence devalues our existence in society. These tragedies have occurred within the province of Quebec and it concerns us all. It is in the spirit of solidarity between our people that we will stop systemic racism within society and within government institutions.
“It is time for the government to stop burying its head in the sand and instead starts putting in place concrete actions to stop such abuses of power. It is not normal when a vulnerable women cannot or doesn’t dare to trust the institutions that should keep them safe” – says Viviane Michel, QNW’s president.
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Source :
Laureanne Fontaine, Communication Officer
communication@faq-qnw.org
Tel.: 450-632-0088 ex. 232
ILR5
