Dene National Chief George Mackenzie has issued a statement in support of the Manitoba Chiefs and the Assembly of First Nations who are calling for reforms regarding policing of Indigenous communities.
In March, journalists with CBC Indigenous released a report of covert surveillance operations on First Nations, Inuit and Métis rights movements beginning in the 1960s.
Chief Mackenzie emphasized the importance of justice and equality for Indigenous communities across the country in response to the report that detailed RCMP surveillance targeting Indigenous governments and groups.
“The Dene Nation, representing the Dene people in the Northwest Territories, is dedicated to promoting justice and equality for Indigenous communities across Canada. Recent reports of RCMP surveillance targeting Indigenous groups have raised serious concerns about violations of rights and systemic discrimination. The Dene Nation joins the Manitoba Chiefs and the AFN in calling for transparency, accountability, and reform.”
Dene Nation leaders have long advocated for the rights and sovereignty of the Dene people.
“The Dene Nation is an organization has focused on social justice, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation. The RCMP’s surveillance activities threaten these values and infringe upon Indigenous rights,” said Chief Mackenzie.
Chief Mackenzie said the Dene Nation has joined the Manitoba Chiefs and the Assembly of First Nations in calling for transparency, policy reform and accountability including an independent investigation to better understand the extent and nature of police surveillance activities.
Chief Mackenzie emphasized that reforms are needed to build trust with Indigenous communities.
“We will not stand idly by while our communities face unjust surveillance. We call on the federal government and the RCMP to take immediate action to address these concerns and work towards rebuilding trust with Indigenous communities.”
The Dene Nation said they are continuing to collaborate with the Manitoba Chiefs, the AFN, and other Indigenous organizations to advocate for Indigenous peoples’ rights.
The Dene Nation called for solidarity among communities across the country in the call for greater transparency, accountability and justice.
Last month, following the publication of the investigative report by journalists with CBC, Dene leaders said it spoke to broader systemic issues.
“The disclosure highlights a systemic pattern that infringes upon civil liberties and furthers systemic discrimination against Indigenous communities.”
Chief Mackenzie reflected that this is a chapter of Canadian history that, like the residential school legacy, must be acknowledged.
“Those reports on civilians should be made public. That’s a dark side of our history, just like the residential school report has to be public, another bad side of our history. Those kinds of reports have to be public, people have to know how the Indigenous world was treated.”
In March, Prime Minister Mark Carney said RCMP Commissioner Mike Deheme should explicitly apologize regarding the surveillance, disruption and infiltration of Indigenous organizations, as first reported by journalists with CBC Indigenous.
On March 25, following the release of CBC’s report, RCMP Commissioner Mike Deheme issued a formal statement of regret but has yet to issue a formal apology.
“The RCMP acknowledges the recent reporting concerning surveillance activities involving Indigenous groups during the 1960s and 1970s. We recognize the serious concerns that this history continues to raise for Indigenous peoples, families, and communities across Canada. I express sincere regret, and while we cannot change the past, we can and must acknowledge that these actions and their impact continue to be felt today,” said the commissioner.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said he was “deeply disturbed” by the report.
“I’ve already tried to reach out to some [of the] Indigenous leadership and one of the things I want to commit to is a conversation to see what the next step and what a proper response from the RCMP would look like. This has to be done as part of a collaborative process where those who are impacted feel that they’re heard and that they have the type of resolution that is important to them. So, I will be commenting further on this at a later point. But for now, it’s important to recognize how deeply disturbing this is. Many of these leaders have gone [onto] hold national portfolios who have led Canada on this path to [Reconciliation], so it is deeply troubling that although it’s 50 years ago, it still troubles me that this happened in our history and we have to address it in a very meaningful way,” said Minister Anandasangaree.
“There is the history over the years that we are trying to overcome and this is one such part and I’m very confident that we will (inaudible) not just the root cause of this, make sure this never happens again, but also ensure that those who are impacted have the closure that they’re looking for,” added Anandasangaree.
Chief Mackenzie said the incidents which reportedly took place from the 1960s to the 1980s are part of a longer history.
“The RCMP’s surveillance activities are not isolated incidents but part of a long-standing history of monitoring in efforts to control Indigenous peoples in Canada. The RCMP has been involved in enforcing the Indian Act and monitoring Indigenous leaders and activists, that tried to suppress Indigenous voices and autonomy. This legacy of surveillance has been a tool of colonial control, undermining Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination.”
“Many leaders who were part of the Indian Brotherhood reported being watched. This [was] a significant part of our history as we were fighting for our rights,” said Chief Mackenzie.
Mackenzie said the operation targeted Indigenous political groups and leaders during a time of strong, political movement which included the Berger inquiry and efforts to form a united Dene government.
The Berger inquiry investigated the potential impacts of a proposed gas pipeline that would run through the Yukon and the Mackenzie River Valley, on the traditional territories of Indigenous communities.
Justice Thomas Berger heard testimony from groups who testified before the commission. The inquiry has been cited as a key moment when the voices of Indigenous people and leaders were being heard.
“The RCMP aimed to monitor and disturb what they saw as extremist activities.”
Chief Mackenzie said legitimate political efforts were targeted.
Dene Nation leadership said the reports of covert surveillance on Indigenous rights advocates are troubling and concerning to their rights and freedoms.
“The RCMP’s activities included monitoring communications and infiltrating activist groups, are reminiscent of tactics used during past civil rights movements. Such actions are invasive and serve to intimidate and silence those advocating for necessary social change,” said Chief Mackenzie.
Chief Mackenzie and Dene leadership said that the consequences are deep for the Dene communities. Dene Nation leaders called on the Canadian government and the RCMP to take steps towards meaningful efforts to build trust with Indigenous communities.
“Only through transparency, accountability, and a commitment to justice can we hope to rectify the injustices of the past and move towards a more equitable future.”
