MTI Response to GNB Update on Systemic Racism

January 16, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MTI Response to GNB Update on Systemic Racism

Over three years after the Commissioner of Systemic Racism released her Final Report. Today, the Government of New Brunswick announced an update on the recommendations and the update still fails to address many of the concerns and recommendations MTI raised during its meetings with the Commissioner and in its response to the Commissioner’s report. It remains clear that if our justice system is going to become more equitable for all, we need an Indigenous led public inquiry on systemic racism in New Brunswick’s justice system.

In the wake of the shooting deaths of Rodney Levi and Chantal Moore, and the acquittal in the death of Brady Francis in 2021, First Nations leadership called on the provincial government to create an independent inquiry into systemic racism in the justice system.

Former Premier Blaine Higgs refused to endorse an inquiry and instead he hired a Commissioner on Systemic Racism to provide recommendations the provincial government.

In the beginning, we worked with the Commissioner and provided her with information and recommendations. After political influence and a watered-down final report that did not address the root causes of systemic racism, we expressed our concerns with the Commissioner’s Final Report and recommendations in a written response paper to the Government of New Brunswick over two years ago. We have yet to meet with anyone to discuss what is contained in our response and suggestions.

The Mi’gmaq Chiefs and MTI were not asked to provide input or comment into the status updates released today or the creation of an anti-racism office.

The Mi’gmaq Chiefs recognize measures need to be taken to address the racism minority groups in this province face and, perhaps, an Anti-Racism Office will help provide an outlet for some individuals and organizations. However, the systemic racism that First Nations in New Brunswick are subjected to is both unique and widespread and is different from the experience by other racialized groups in New Brunswick.

“By lumping all racialized groups together, the Government of New Brunswick seems to think that the needs and challenges of all minority communities are the same. This perpetuates the paternalistic approach the provincial government uses against Indigenous peoples in New Brunswick,” said Chief George Ginnish, Chief of Natoaganeg and Co-Chair of MTI.

The systemic racism faced by First Nations is unique, as is the Treaty relationship between the Provincial Crown and the First Nations in this province. The unique history of New Brunswick, with its interaction between Indigenous Peoples, Acadians, and English-speaking peoples, has created its own dynamics and patterns of racism.

While some programs like Indigenous Court Workers and Gladue Writers have been implemented to better the justice system for Indigenous people in this province, no one knows the extent of the systemic racism that exists which makes it difficult, if not impossible, to implement a plan to improve it.

“Six years after the death of Rodney Levi and Chantal Moore and the Government of New Brunswick continues to ignore many of the recommendations made by us and our community members to address systemic racism. Our call for an Indigenous led public inquiry into the systemic racism in the justice remains. If the province had accepted this in 2020, we could be well on our way to see improvements when it comes to racism in this province,” said Chief Bill Ward, Chief of Metepenagiag.

The MTI Chiefs are willing to meet with the current government to provide more context and see how they can work together for meaningful change in New Brunswick.

Media inquiries

Raven Boyer - ravenboyer@migmawel.org