First Nations chiefs demand public inquiry into report of RCMP surveillance of Indigenous leadership

Manitoba First Nations leaders are demanding a full public inquiry into RCMP surveillance of Indigenous leadership, including reports of wiretaps, paid informants, and other monitoring methods used decades ago.

This comes after CBC Indigenous uncovered some 6,000 pages of internal RCMP documents that indicate the RCMP was monitoring Indigenous political activity as early as 1968.

The report said police targeted future national chiefs Noel Starblanket, David Ahenakew, Georges Erasmus and Phil Fontaine.

“It’s become a reality for everybody, whether or not you’re in a elected position or if you’re a leader in your community, if you speak out against Canada, you will be surveilled,” said Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson.

“It’s very shocking to realize to what has been done to our leadership,” added Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee. “There is a lot of things to do before this trust is re-established again.”

Leaders are now calling for the unredacted release of all records, a full public inquiry, and an in-person apology – not in Ottawa, but in Winnipeg.

“There must be no surveillance and harassment of lawful advocacy,” said Assembly of First Nations (AFN) national Chief Cindy Woodhouse-Nepinak. “Now is the time for honest accountability and respect. We expect a public inquiry and we expect action.”

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For former AFN national Chief Ovide Mercredi, the revelations are deeply personal. He says his name appears in the records, but he still doesn’t know when the surveillance began, or what information was collected.

“I think the RCMP have a lot of power and authority independent to government, but when it comes for surveillance, I think they must be taking political direction for that,” Mercredi said. “I want to know who these people are. I want to know who my accusers are.

“I think Canadians need to know we never presented a threat to this country and we were offering a different vision.”

CityNews reached out to the office of the minister of public safety, Gary Anandasangaree, who said on Thursday he met with Nepinak and the AFN to discuss recent revelations concerning RCMP surveillance of Indigenous leaders in the 1960s and ‘70s to consider next steps.

“The RCMP will be inviting Indigenous leadership to Ottawa in the coming weeks to join in convening discussions with the Minister and CSIS to address these serious revelations that have come to light, and to help chart a clear, collective course of action that ensures accountability and rebuilds trust,” the minister’s office said in a statement.

CityNews also reached out to the RCMP but did not immediate hear back.