AMC Terminates Business Relationship with Food Fare; Calls for Thorough Investigation
April 30, 2024
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
Treaty One Territory – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) has given notice that they have terminated its business relationship with the family-owned and operated grocery store Food Fare. The AMC pulled business from the grocer following the violent physical assault of a First Nations woman by Food Fare staff over the weekend and is calling for a thorough investigation of the incident.
Security footage reveals a distressing sequence of events wherein a Food Fare staff member is recorded forcefully seizing the woman’s purse, then escalating into a physical altercation where he overpowers her and makes the decision to punch her in the face, knocking her to the ground. Additionally, another woman of considerably smaller stature is also subjected to his aggression, while a child who was with the assaulted women involved had to witness the traumatic ordeal.
“Violence against First Nations women and girls is a systemic issue,” said AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, “it is an issue that permeates every intersection of our lives. I cannot believe that in 2024, First Nation women can’t even go to the store without experiencing this level of physical aggression, particularly with a child present. It makes you wonder why he felt so comfortable acting in such a manner with cameras recording his every move. What that tells me is that systemic discrimination and racism against First Nations women and girls is so deeply ingrained in Canada’s social fabric that people feel empowered to treat us this way.”
Grand Chief Merrick continued, “The safety and well-being of all people, regardless of their background or socio-economic status, must be upheld in any place that provides services or products. The brazen assault of these women is an affront to the values of inclusivity, respect, and dignity that we must all strive to uphold in this city and across this province.”
The AMC expects the Winnipeg Police Service to take immediate and appropriate action against those responsible for perpetrating this violence. “We urge the authorities to ensure that justice is served swiftly and that measures are implemented to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future,” concluded Grand Chief Merrick.
The AMC stands in solidarity with the affected individuals and their families during this difficult time. We reiterate our commitment to combating racism, discrimination, and violence in all its forms and will demonstrate that by withdrawing purchasing power.
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 62 of the 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.