Emily Kammermayer has made a complaint regarding her treatment by La Ronge RCMP. (submitted photo/Emily Kammermayer)

By paNOW Staff

First Nations leadership ‘deeply concerned’ by La Ronge incident involving woman and RCMP

Jan 29, 2021 | 4:36 PM

First Nations leaders from across the region have responded to what they’ve termed medical neglect and alleged police violence following an incident in La Ronge recently. An RCMP professional responsibility unit is investigating the complaint.

In a media release issued Friday, Treaty 5, 6, 8 & 10 Territory leaders from Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB), Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) said they are deeply concerned by an alleged incident of a First Nations mother seeking medical attention for her son. The release said the woman was subjected to professional negligence by medical staff at the La Ronge Health Center and excessive force by the RCMP at the La Ronge detachment.

LLRIB band member Emily Kammermayer has submitted an official complaint to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP that alleges excessive force was used on her after she went to the hospital to receive medical care for her son.

“I spoke with Emily to let her know we have asked the FSIN Special Investigation Unit to provide support to her and her son with the complaint process. These are serious allegations of unjustified, excessive force by the RCMP members and she took the right action by filing a formal complaint through these mechanisms in place,” LLRIB Chief Tammy Cook-Searson was quoted in the media release.

“No matter what the circumstance, our mothers and caregivers deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and equal quality of care. There is no justification for any kind of systemic racism or violence against our people, and it is imperative we do the work necessary to ensure a better future for the sake of our children and our grandchildren,” continued Chief Cook-Searson.

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“This incident brings up issues of systemic racism that our people have experienced in the justice, policing, and health care sectors for a long time. We have trust in FSIN’s Special Investigation Unit, and we will wait for the final report while continuing our efforts to work with the federal and provincial government to address these longstanding issues during this time of reconciliation,” wrote PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte.

“The FSIN executive applauds the bravery of Miss Kammermayer to come forward and speak up against this injustice. We are also very concerned with what appears to be a cycle of reports that continue to come into our office regarding negative and sometimes violent interactions with First Nations people and police officers and health care workers. We have confidence in our leadership to ensure that due process is followed and there is transparency throughout this investigation,” said FSIN Vice Chief Dutch Lerat.

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panews@jpbg.ca