AFN Regional Chief condemns anti-black racism, draws similarities to indigenous racism in letter

CALGARY(CITYNEWS)- The Assembly of First Nations’ Regional Chief Marlene Poitras is reflecting on the Black Lives Matter movement, and condemning anti-black racism in all its forms.

The sentiments were made by Poitras in an open letter made public on Wednesday, which stated she was deeply affected by the demonstrations demanding justice for “Regis Korchinski-Paquet, Machuar Madut, George Floyd and countless other Black and Black-Indigenous lives that have been unjustly taken on Turtle Island.”

Poitras notes the importance of the movement and its close ties with indigenous racism.

“Black liberation and Indigenous sovereignty are interwoven,” she said, adding, “from Calgary to Edmonton to Fort McMurray, choruses of “Black Lives Matter” have harmonized with chants of “Indigenous Lives Matter.”

“Black and First Nations communities are fighting against the same system of colonization and white supremacy that created two different, but not dissimilar, legacies of poverty, incarceration, and socioeconomic and health disparities.”

Poitras also mentioned her attendance at a news conference regarding an alleged incident involving Fort Chipewyan Chief Allan Adam, in which Adam says a police officer had beaten him during his arrest for an expired license plate.

READ MORE: Indigenous chief alleges RCMP beat him during arrest that began over expired tags

“I condemned the total disregard and disrespect for one of our esteemed leaders on the part of the police. I also expressed my frustration with the reality that police forces have never existed to protect our communities but, rather, the interests of the state and white settlers” said Poitras.

In finalizing her letter, she called on society, including First Nations people to make an effort to “understand the historical and contemporary struggles of our black neighbours.”

She also said she supports police funding re-allocation to mental health supports, child welfare protection, and domestic violence response, among other social services.