AMC Demands Thorough Investigation into Death of Woman Struck by Winnipeg Police Vehicle
September 4, 2024
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is calling for a thorough investigation into the death of a First Nations woman who was hit and killed by a Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) vehicle shortly before 9:30 pm on Tuesday. As the Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) assumes responsibility for the investigation, AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick stresses the critical need for impartiality and transparency in overseeing the investigation. The AMC expects the inquiry to be conducted with the utmost transparency to uphold the integrity of the law and provide answers to a family and community now in mourning.
“Too often, the IIU has failed to hold police accountable for their role in the deaths of our people,” said AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick. “Eishia Hudson, William Ahmo, Janine Walker, and John Ettawakapow are just a few names on a long list of victims for whom the IIU has cleared police of contributing to their deaths. What took place Monday night is not merely a set of tragic circumstances, and it is hard to see this most recent situation as anything other than police involvement leading to the loss of life.”
The AMC is deeply troubled by the pattern of police exoneration in the deaths of First Nations people. In June, the AMC called for a review of former Winnipeg police detective Harmen Wouda’s appointment to lead the Law Enforcement Review Agency (LERA). LERA handles public complaints about police conduct, unlike the IIU, which requires immediate notification from the police chief or a senior officer when an officer is involved in a death, serious injury, or legal breach. The AMC believes that involving former police members in oversight bodies creates inherent conflicts of interest and perpetuates biases. This compromises the impartiality of these bodies and significantly undermines the integrity and credibility of the oversight process, further eroding trust in the system.
However, Grand Chief Merrick emphasizes that at the heart of this situation is a life lost far too soon. “At the end of the day, two parents have lost the chance to see their daughter again, and a young woman has lost her life,” said Grand Chief Merrick. “Our hearts ache for the family, friends, and community, and we stand united with them in their search for answers.”
The AMC is dedicated to ensuring justice for First Nations people impacted by violence and will continue to stand with affected families and communities through this process. We urge the IIU to perform this investigation with the utmost urgency and clarity, ensuring that it leads to genuine accountability and justice.
For more information, please contact:
Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email: media@manitobachiefs.com
About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of all 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 172,000 First Nations citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Nehetho / Ininew (Cree), Anisininew (Ojibwe-Cree), Denesuline (Dene) and Dakota Oyate (Dakota) peoples.