THUNDER BAY – More than 200 people shared their views on Monday about police conduct during Indigenous death and missing person investigations.
The Office of the Independent Police Review Director has been doing a systemic analysis in the city for the past 10 months in regard to how police interact with Indigenous community members and how they carry out their investigations.
More specifically, they're looking into how they handle the deaths and disappearances of First Nations people
Director Gerry McNeilly said he’s conducted many interviews with police officials and people from indigenous organizations as part of this review, but Monday night’s event was to get the general public involved and hear what they had to say.
“I can tell you that I’ve heard a lot of concerns from members of the community about issues and how they believe police are interacting with the Indigenous community,” McNeilly said.
“I can tell you what I’ve heard is that people talk about racism and hopefully we will be able to make some recommendations to address those issues.”
Elder Tony DePeriy hopes there’s justice.
“I hope there’s complete understanding because the way society is right now it’s all one-sided,” DePeriy said.
“We need balance and if you can’t come to terms with balance, we are all going to know that racism in this community is alive and well.”
Those who attended the meeting were asked to answer 10 questions and discuss them in groups.
Those questions covered a range of topics asking those who participated to describe their experience with the police if they see racism and bias in the policing? and what recommendations they would like considered in the final report.
After each group discussed amongst themselves a representative relayed what was discussed in front of the entire room.
One suggestion brought up by a First Nation woman was for the OIPRD to have individual discussions with those living on the streets as she says they do not feel welcome in these kinds of venues.
Monday night’s meeting was the first public forum, but McNeilly said he hopes to have more down the line as his report will not be completed until the end of April or May of next year.
(TBT News)
