As BLM protests rage across the United States, many Canadians have a thought on their minds: Thank god police aren’t racist or violent in Canada. However, it may be true this thought only stems from a place of collective ignorance. When treating members of the First Nation community, Canadian police have historically been as brutal as American police. Here are two police brutality events from Canada that serve a grim reminder that Canada is not immune to violent marginalization.
The Oka Crisis
In the summer of 1990, the entire world turned their eyes to the town of Oka, Quebec. Local land developers proposed a golf course expansion which extended the course over a sacred Mohawk burial site. Members of the Mohawk nation voiced their concerns to local authorities. However, no changes were made to the development plans. Frustrated at the authorities’ lack of response, the Mohawk nation staged various peaceful protests. After months of fruitless protesting, the Mohawk nation formed a blockade around their burial site.
The town of Oka called in the Quebec provincial police, who attacked the blockade with tear gas and concussion grenades (which created a wave of force that knocked out the protestors). Eventually, the conflict escalated to a gunfight, which killed one policeman. In response, more Mohawk from the surrounding area joined the blockade. Afterwards, the violence continued to escalate. The residents’ anger spread nationwide, involving the RCMP and the army in the conflict.
Armed forces engaged in physical combat with protestors, but no bullets were fired. Canada was condemned by the United Nations, and worldwide media responded to the event. However, unlike similar conflicts, Canadians rarely consider the Oka crisis as”important“.
Saskatoon Freezing Deaths
Winters in Saskatoon are often bitter and cold, where nights can be as cold as -40 degrees celsius. As a result, even the most well-insulated and physically healthy people are at risk of freezing. Over the past few decades, Native American men have froze in this weather and their bodies have been found far away from any civilization. These deaths are not accidents, but rather results of police discrimination.
Members of the Saskatoon Police Force would often patrol the roads on these winter nights, looking out for drunken Native men. Similarly to how American police would arrest drunk Black men for violence, these policemen would charge their victims with minor offences such as “misconduct”. Instead of taking the men to a police station or jail, there have been reports that police drove them to the outskirts of Saskatoon, stripped them to their underwear, and told them to “walk off” the drunkenness.
After being thrown into extremely cold weather and stripped of all insulation, the men froze to death in a matter of minutes. The police force concealed these deaths and the public overlooked the issue. Policemen treated these freezing deaths as a regular routine. There has even been evidence that they nicknamed their practice “starlight tours.”
No member of the Saskatoon Police Force faced charges for these actions.
And the Discrimination Continues…
Unfortunately, these are not the only events involving Canadian police brutality. The recent resurgence of police violence and protesting sparked many violent incidents, including the death of Native and Inuit protestors at the hands of police. Authorities have condemned the acts of violence, but what they will do remains to be seen.
What Can We Do About This?
Thankfully, our actions can change the way that Canada approaches this issue. We can raise our concerns in conversations, activities and discussions. We can write to local authorities to ask for change. Most importantly, we can educate ourselves and other Canadians about the history of local police violence. Change is important. Change starts from one single person.