Armed officers have killed another Indigenous child. Who will stop these state sanctioned murders?

We hear and feel the devastation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police force killing another Indigenous child in Norway House Cree First Nation.

We hear and feel the devastation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police force killing another Indigenous child in Norway House Cree Nation last Friday.

As communities well-acquainted with cruel and unaccountable police violence and killings, P.O.W.E.R. (Police Oversight with Evidence and Research) and Mothers Coming Together Again grieve this loss as one of our own. 

“We are horrified and heartbroken that the rcmkkkops in Manitoba took a 17 year-old boy’s life,” state Mothers Coming Together Again. 

“A boy who was in distress and needed assistance - not a gunshot. How? How can any force not handle a youth with an ‘edged weapon?’ Our hearts go out to his grandparents, his family, his clan and his community.”

“This is A State Of Emergency for Indigenous families across these lands.”

A researcher with P.O.W.E.R., Tyson Singh Kelsall ਟਾਈਸਨ ਸਿੰਘ adds, “Everyday we see the unspeakable violence of law enforcement. Now the life of a child from Norway House Cree Nation has been stolen by an officer. For those who refuse to speak out, to resist, to support those fighting for justice, or who remain feckless in the face of these killings - do you recognize that this is what your peace is built upon? It is our responsibility to put an end to police violence and murder.”

Last month, Mothers Coming Together Again re-ignited attention toward a public inquiry into police killings across Canada after nine Indigenous People were killed by police in August and September. Two weeks ago, 10 groups echoed that call – by then at least 10 Indigenous lives had been taken in three months. Now it has happened again. 

Hardly a moment can pass without the police taking another Indigenous life (while Indigenous Peoples make up 5 percent of the population in Canada). This violence can only be seen for what it is: a continuation of settler colonial violence. Immediate deescalation of police power is needed before another police killing occurs.

No Justice - No Peace! 

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