Menu

Marc Miller

Marc-Miller-1

Minister Condemns Police Violence Against Indigenous People

, , , , , , , , , ,

Canada’s Indigenous services minister expressed anger Friday at recent incidents of police violence against Indigenous people.

“I’m pissed, I’m outraged. There needs to be a full accounting of what has gone on,” said Marc Miller during a news conference.

Miller said he watched “in disgust” a video showing a man being hit by an RCMP cruiser in Nunavut earlier this week, calling it a “disgraceful, dehumanizing and violent act.”

He also commented on the fatal police shooting of a 26-year-old Indigenous woman in Edmundston, N.B., early Thursday.

Police said officers were called to do a well-being check when the woman allegedly armed with a knife started making threats.

“I don’t understand how someone dies during a wellness check. When I first saw the report, I thought it was some morbid joke,” said Miller.

Police in both Nunavut and New Brunswick have asked external agencies to investigate the incidents. Miller said those independent inquiries “need to bring justice.”

“Police serve Canadians and Indigenous peoples of Canada, not the opposite. It’s something that we need to reckon as a society as we look south to the disgraceful acts that are occurring down there,” said Miller.

mark-miller

Pandemic Impacting Indigenous Communities

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The first COVID-19 case in Nunavut was confirmed on Thursday to be located in Pond Inlet, a fly-in community.

There are 129 COVID-19 cases in First Nation communities on reserve and 16 confirmed cases in Nunavik’s Inuit communities, which covers a third of Quebec in its northern region.

Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services said the community, the territorial government and Indigenous Services will give the case in Pond Inlet full attention to ensure contract tracing and maximum containment efforts are undertaken.

Miller said $690 million has been directly allocated by Indigenous Services to the health response for COVID-19.

“This includes activities undertaken directly by the department such as procurement of supplies and nursing services as well as the preparedness measures being undertaken by communities,” he said.

Miller said the pandemic is impacting indigenous communities in many ways including mental wellness.

“Whether there are cases or not or close to their communities, people find themselves experiencing distress, anxiety and uncertainty,” he said.

“This is particularly the case for people who are at higher risk, or the family members of those who are at higher risk.”

Miller said the Hope for Wellness helpline is also available for immediate culturally safe telephone crisis intervention 24/7 for First Nations, Inuit and Metis at 1-855-242-3310.

“These are real and understandable reactions and there are mental wellness supports available to help. It’s important to underscore that many communities and service providers are adapting their operations to respect the requirement for physical distancing and they should continue to do so,” he said.

Miller said crisis intervention counselors have increased at the Hope For Wellness helpline to keep up with demand.

He said Indigenous Services will continue to work with communities to address their needs.