Dear Editor
As someone married to a Cree Indigenous person, I felt compelled to write and express a perspective informed by my wife, and possibly shared by many other Indigenous people at this time.
It was surprising, disconcerting and disheartening to see images of RCMP officers hugging and shaking hands with the protesters at Coutts, Alta. After all, these protesters broke the law for 18 days, disrupted the lives and freedoms of many other people at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy. ,The protesters said they left “on our terms” when it was convenient for them to do so, (and after weapons were found amongst the participants).
We’re very happy that the protest ended peacefully. However, can you imagine what it would have been like if it had been a group of Indigenous people conducting such a protest and the RCMP were called in? Past experience tells a story with a much different outcome.
Or perhaps the RCMP (and other police forces) have learned to do policing in a different way? Now when future protests occur with other groups, the police will listen to them, dialogue with them and allow them to protest as long as they want, regardless of legality, cost and disruption, in order to prevent confrontation. Then have the protesters leave freely when they want “on their terms”! Being friendly and cordial all the while, of course! Oh, yes, then a relaxing cigarette would be nice.
We’ll remember and we’ll see.
Les Hurlburt
North Battleford
