Regional and national Indigenous leadership demand action on systemic racism
Community members in Neqotkuk came together in solidarity to honour RCMP shooting victim Bronson Paul on Wednesday night, Jan. 21.
The candlelight vigil outside Paul’s home was led by Dr. Imelda Perley Opolahsomuwehs and offered family, friends, and band members “space to heal, and stand together in this time of need.”
The 40-year-old died on Sunday, Jan. 18, after being shot by the RCMP in his home after police responded to a domestic dispute call.
In an RCMP news release, police said the “situation quickly evolved, a man armed with an edged weapon advanced towards members. A Conducted Energy Weapon (taser) was deployed ineffectively, and a member discharged their firearm at the man.”
The RCMP news release said first aid was immediately administered at the scene, and the man was taken to the Grand Falls General Hospital, where he later died.
Immediately after the shooting, the New Brunswick RCMP requested the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) to investigate.
As his family prepares for his funeral on Saturday, Jan. 24, Indigenous leaders are calling for change.
“While neither Canada nor New Brunswick maintains publicly available tracking of police-related killings, our records show that, since 2020, there have been at least six incidents of law enforcement using lethal force in New Brunswick. In four of those instances, the victims were Indigenous,” said the six Chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation in a news release on Jan. 19.
“Everyone must recognize this is a deep-seated issue and call it what it is: systemic racism leading to disproportionate and unnecessary deaths of Indigenous people.”
The chiefs demanded that leaders, elected and appointed, “acknowledge the pattern of systemic racism within their forces and do the hard work to eliminate it from their institutions.”
The Wolastoqey Nation also demanded regular updates on these efforts, and wants community meetings aimed at “listening and healing, meaningful connection with First Nations leadership, and quick action focused on restoring the safety and security of our people.”
On Jan. 20, the Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak expressed her profound sorrow and solidarity with Neqotkuk and Paul’s family.
“This is a devastating loss, and our hearts go out to the family of Bronson Paul, his loved ones, and the entire Tobique First Nation during this time of profound grief,” she said in a news release.
“Every First Nations life matters, and when a life is lost during a police interaction, communities deserve answers, transparency, and accountability. The AFN supports the people of Tobique First Nation in their calls for action, including a full, impartial, and transparent investigation by the Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT). We call for urgent action to address systemic issues that contribute to unequal and deadly outcomes for First Nations people in interactions with police services.”
In a news release following the shooting, Chief Ross Perley announced that his council was immediately closing the RCMP detachment on the reserve.
“Currently, we are still determining the circumstances of what unfolded,” wrote Perley in the release. “We know that there was a call to 9-1-1. There was no request for assistance from the police to our tribal security members, council or outreach team. This has typically helped de-escalate these situations.”
Chief Perley said his council is unsure why lethal force was used in this case, but noted that the victim is “another Indigenous (person) who was killed in the hands of the police,” pointing to the previous deaths of Rodney Levi, Chantel Moore, and Steven (Iggy) Dedam.
The release stated that community members can still call 9-1-1 for emergencies, but noted that any police presence will require a Kinap security escort.
“Chief and Council will push for transparency in this process and proper protocol in working with Indigenous communities,” the release noted.
Perley described the victim, Bronson Paul, as a “son, father, brother, partner, nephew, and so much more.”
He extended his and his council’s deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and friends.
“We understand the impact that this has on Negotkuk, and we want to offer our support to all of those in need.”
The Neqotkuk Band Council has activated its Wampum CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) protocol and has a sacred fire at the Paul Pyres Community Hall for community members who want to pray or talk to someone.
Wampum CISM provides cultural peer support during critical incidents and is widely used for crisis intervention.
In her weekly social media video on Jan. 19, New Brunswick Premier Holt sent condolences to the family and friends of Paul.
“We are saddened and angered by the death of Bronson Paul last night,” said Holt. “And our hearts are with his children, his partner, his family, and the entire community of Neqotkuk, as they grieve this tragic situation.”
Holt went on to say that the provincial government has offered Neqotkuk Chief Ross Perley its full support, adding that the province would do its part in ensuring “the investigation proceeds in a transparent, timely, and appropriate manner to provide the answers the family and the community needs.”
