Report decries conduct of Canadian police with Indigenous homeless women in Yellowknife

HAMILTON, Canada

A report Thursday sheds light on fears and mistrust homeless Indigenous women harbor toward the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Based on insights shared by Indigenous women who have experienced homelessness, the report by the Yellowknife Womens Society underscores a consistent sentiment of fear and distrust.

"The women we spoke with fear the RCMP. They do not trust the RCMP. They do not believe the RCMP will keep them safe. Participants told us about being discriminated against by the RCMP and feeling powerless to hold officers accountable," according to the report, that highlighted the pervasive sense of vulnerability among Indigenous women.

The report revealed a troubling pattern of over-policing of homeless Indigenous women, fueled by inadequate social services such as housing and health.

"The over-policing of Indigenous women increases their risk of experiencing harm at the hands of police and contributes to their higher rates of criminalization and incarceration," it noted.

Emphasizing the under-protection of Indigenous women by the RCMP, the report said women believe their stories are "less likely to be believed and their concerns less likely to be taken seriously" by police.

"Some Indigenous women do not reach out for help from law enforcement when they need it because of prior experiences of being dismissed or failed by police," it said.

The report suggested that "the Government of Northwest Territories should have an active role in articulating a vision for policing in the NWT that meets the needs of unhoused Indigenous women," and it urged significant reforms to address systemic issues within the RCMP.

The report has recommendations to reduce the frequency of contact between homeless Indigenous women and the RCMP and making the interactions safer and more helpful.

It underscored the urgent need for policy change and community-led initiatives to ensure the safety and well-being of homeless Indigenous women in Yellowknife and beyond.