Police chiefs gather in Winnipeg to promote reconciliation
Conference aimed at improving relationships with Indigenous communities
Police chiefs from across Canada are in Winnipeg this week to discuss ways to better protect Indigenous citizens, understand colonial history and improve relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis residents.
Over the next two days, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police will meet with Indigenous leaders, justice officials and social-service agency representatives at a Fairmont Hotel conference called "Moving Forward, Safer Futures."
The 200-person gathering, organized as part of Mayor Brian Bowman's "year of reconciliation" proclamation, offers a chance for police services and other government agencies to recognize the historical and recent factors that have led Indigenous Canadians to be more likely to live in poverty, be victimized by crime and have contact with the criminal justice system, said Winnipeg Police Service Deputy Chief Danny Smyth.
He's taking part in a panel on improving social equity, which is shorthand for reducing the socio-economic chasm dividing Indigenous Canadians and other residents. Outgoing Winnipeg Police Chief Devon Clunis has made this a priority, even though he acknowledged the police can only do so much on their own.
"The police are only one part of it. There's larger issues at stake here, both in health and government," Smyth said Monday in an interview.
"Certainly, the policing community can help take a lead in this. We're that one service that's out there all the time, and certainly if we can lend our voice in some of these things to help influence policy makers and government I think that's a good thing."
Smyth said Winnipeg is an appropriate place for the conference, due to the large size of the city's Indigenous community and efforts taken by both Clunis and Bowman to promote reconciliation.
The mayor will address the conference on Tuesday. Premier Brian Pallister will follow suit on Wednesday.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde is taking part in the conference, along with Indigenous leaders from Manitoba.