Prince George hopes to be the latest community to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement, with a protest planned in front of City Hall tomorrow (Friday).
The City’s Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) has officially invited all members to join the protest.
“Similar to the experiences, injustices and racism faced by the Black movement, First Nations have faced these challenges for over 500 years,” said Chief Corinna Leween, President of Carrier Sekani Family Services.
She said the issue of racism resonates with Indigenous people across Canada and in the Carrier Nations.
“Indigenous people have a long history of injustice. We, regardless of ethnicity, must no longer tolerate injustices perpetuated by colonial violence,” said Mary Teegee, Executive Director of Child and Family Services at CSFS.
The group identified three instances where First Nations individuals died at the hands of police in Prince George, including the 2003 death of Clayton Willey, the 2017 death of Dale Culver, and the recent death of Everett Patrick.
However, the group clarified: “many police officers are virtuous and work well with Nation members”, and Chief Leween added, “education starts at home and is the responsibility for all citizens.”