Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada David Lametti (LaSalle-Émard-Verdun, Que.) announced Bill C-40, new legislation that would create an independent commission tasked with reviewing suspected cases of wrongful conviction. “This move to create an independent review commission could represent a seismic shift in the justice landscape for Indigenous people who have always struggled under a one-way … Read more
The police killing of Tyre Nichols is shedding light on the systemic problem of police brutality, both above and below the border. The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) is encouraging all Canadian police forces to take note of the tragedy and make fundamental changes to ensure racialized groups are not targeted. “Systemic racism, discrimination and prejudice among … Read more
The epidemic of suicide among Indigenous inmates in the care of Correction Services Canada has claimed another life, due to inaction and a failure to provide effective, culturally appropriate supports administered by Indigenous people themselves. “The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples calls on [Correctional Services Canada] to ensure the inquest of [Cassandra Fox’s] death is conducted immediately and publicly” … Read more
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is excited to join other Canadians in celebrating the first ever National Ribbon Skirt Day. The occasion originates from Isabella Kulak, a young First Nations girl from Saskatchewan who was shamed for wearing a ribbon skirt to a formal day at her school. In light of the event, non-affiliated Senator Mary Jane McCallum … Read more
Today on Parliament Hill, the National Chief of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples Elmer St. Pierre strongly condemned the Liberal government’s action to force the off-reserve voice out of Bill C-29. The proposed legislation and National Council create new levels of colonial policy and discrimination that continues to marginalize Indigenous people. “The entire Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is shocked … Read more
The Liberal government has made the unprecedented decision to exclude the voices of urban Indigenous Peoples from a vital National Council for Reconciliation, a product of Bill C-29 which the Liberals introduced last year. Under the proposed legislation, the Council would be considered a not-for-profit corporation comprised of nine to 13 directors, which will have guaranteed … Read more
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is demanding Correctional Services Canada hold an inquest into the death of Kendal Campeau, a 31-year-old Indigenous man from the Yellow Quill First Nation, who died at the Pacific Institute in B.C. from a drug overdose. “Not only should there be an inquest into Campeau’s death, but police should investigate … Read more
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is relieved to be joining the planned Reconciliation Council – an independent oversight body which will monitor, evaluate and report to Parliament on the progress of reconciliation across the country. “Thankfully opposition MPs fought to include our voices at this critical Council,” said CAP National Chief Elmer St. Pierre. “For years … Read more
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is disappointed that the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that Indigenous offenders accused of serious crimes cannot be handed a conditional sentence like serving time in their community. “This Harper-era provision requiring prison terms for certain crimes has only put more of our people in prisons,” says CAP National Vice-Chief Kim … Read more
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples demands that Correctional Services Canada take immediate action on the eight recommendations issued following an inquest into the 2020 death of 27-year-old Curtis McKenzie, an Indigenous inmate at the federally run Saskatchewan Penitentiary. “In CAP’s opinion, Correctional Services Canada ignored countless red flags that could have been addressed to prevent this tragedy,” said CAP National … Read more
