Indigenous groups welcome Quebec premier’s apology, but are skeptical
MONTREAL — Quebec Premier François Legault’s apology to Indigenous people for the abuse and systemic discrimination they have faced at the hands of police, youth protection agencies, health and social services and other public agencies in Quebec, was welcomed by some Indigenous groups Wednesday, but there was also skepticism.
Legault told Quebec’s National Assembly that the findings in the Viens Commission report were “overwhelming” and he apologized on behalf of the Quebec state, which he said has “failed in its duty” to Indigenous people. He suggested that anti-indigenous stereotypes are far too prevalent in Quebec society and in the public service, and said his government will work with Indigenous authorities and the federal government to “bring about the conditions to allow First Nations and Inuit communities in Quebec to thrive”.
Legault spoke pointedly to the Indigenous women from Val d’or , whose reports of abuse at the hands of police officers in their community eventually led to the public inquiry.
“For the Indigenous women who experienced the sad events in Val d’or, I acknowledge their courage,” he said, adding “these apologies are necessary and very important, but not sufficient. We have to understand the reasons that led to this situation and from there, change things.”
For Nakuset, who is executive director of the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal, “change” is the key word.
“An apology doesn’t make any difference unless it is followed up with concrete actions,” Nakuset told the Montreal Gazette.
“Is he going to change any policies? is it going to change anything in the institutions that are involved? Is he going to mandate that the recommendations are implemented in those institutions? We get apologies all the time and we need something more concrete.”
She would have liked to see the premier announce some specifics, like how many of Commissioner Jacques Viens’s 142 recommendations his government intends to implement, and when.
For example, Nakuset was happy to see the report calling for a stop to the practice of incarcerating homeless people for nonpayment of fines for municipal offences.
The union representing Quebec’s provincial police officers was quick to object to that recommendation, arguing all citizens should be treated equally under the law.
But Nakuset said the government has to take action to stop the repeated and pointless incarceration of the many Indigenous people who are struggling to survive in urban settings, for example.
“We had one person in Cabot Square who got three tickets in five hours,” Nakuset said.
“They (police officers) just kept coming back and giving her tickets. She has no money so what does that do to your selfesteem?”