Press release: June 26 th , 2020
Wapna’kikewi’skwaq - Women of First Light, an Indigenous women-led organization in Wabana’ki has
started an on-line petition calling for an Indigenous led investigation into Chantal Moore’s and Rodney
Levi’s deaths by police. It has reached over 5,000 signatures in a few days. The group, which has a
project honouring MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) wonders how do we honour our
loved ones, when the list just keeps growing? How do we move forward? Both Moore’s and Levi’s
deaths in NB, 8 days a part, point to the wide-spread systemic racism towards Indigenous people and
people of colour in Canada.
Therefore, we are deeply concerned about the integrity of a Police Unit from Quebec being allowed to
conduct the investigation. “We have witnessed time and again how the truth is concealed in efforts by
institutions to protect their own. Further, our trust in the Quebec Police is already deeply compromised
due to experiences of Indigenous people within Quebec.”, states miigam’agan, Clan Mother and Board
member. For example, there have been many media stories of abuses and racist attitudes toward
Indigenous people by the Quebec police which was confirmed by Quebec’s own judicial inquiry in 2019.
Wapna’kikewi’skaq – Women of First Light strongly requests that the investigation into Chantal Moore
and Rodney Levis’s deaths be led by Indigenous people. Further, we request that the Clan Mothers of
Wabana’ki be in the forefront of selecting the Indigenous participants. Wapna’kikewi’skaq is more than
willing to identify Indigenous police, lawyers and others who are qualified to lead this investigation in a
respectful and thorough manner. “As Clan Mothers, we are highly respected for striving for the health
and wellbeing of our people. Thus, we know who in the Mi’kmaw community has integrity, good values
and skills to lead and participate in this investigation, explains Jane Meader, a Clan Mother and educator
from Membertou First Nations.”
Frankly, we have lost all faith in justice in New Brunswick and Canada for Indigenous people.” Adds
Catherine Martin, Board member and well-respected film maker,” adding “Without our direct
involvement in the investigations, we believe, we will not learn the truth, especially where in Chantel’s
case, was supposed to be a wellness check! The woman was afraid of being harassed by a man.
Someone knocks loudly on the door at 2 am and so she comes to the door with a knife. That makes
sense. Killing her does not. The same goes for Rodney. He was reaching out for help, when he was
killed. There can be no reconciliation without justice.”
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. To arrange an interview, please contact our coordinator, Ishbel Munro, 902 921-4014 or
iseabail_86@live.ca and she will put you in touch with us.
https://www.change.org/ChantalMooreRodneyLevi
Most Sincerely,
Catherine Martin miigam’agan
https://www.womenoffirstlight.com/ 24 Glooscap Dr. Millbrook First Nations, NS