Innu leadership and members of the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation are claiming that officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police used excessive force during an arrest that took place at a residence in Sheshatshiu on Tuesday night, as shown in a video posted online.
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation Chief Eugene Hart expressed his dissatisfaction with the officers, stating to the CBC that they should leave if they do not want to be there. In response to the incident, Hart joined a group of around fifty individuals in a protest outside the local RCMP detachment while awaiting the release of the arrested individual.
The arrest was initiated following a call from the man’s girlfriend, Nerissa Rich, who reported that he was intoxicated and hoped the police would take him to a holding cell to sober up. Rich emphasized that there was no violence involved and that she believed it was the appropriate course of action at the time to ensure the safety of her family.
The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed by CBC, is facing multiple charges, including assaulting a peace officer, resisting arrest, and property mischief.
A video shared by Rich on social media captured the moment the officers were attempting to restrain the man, leading to a chaotic and tense situation. The footage depicted the officers engaging in physical altercations with the man, including one officer striking him in the face and subsequently using a stun gun.
Family members of the arrested man, including Lorraine Rich, expressed their dismay over the incident, with Lorraine Rich urging community members to join in protesting the actions of the police. Innu Nation Grand Chief Jodie Ashini also criticized the use of force in the video, labeling it as a clear case of excessive force and suggesting systemic racism may be at play.
Ashini and Hart have called for the removal of the officer involved in the incident and advocated for the establishment of a tribal police service for the First Nation to address concerns regarding law enforcement in the community.
Efforts to obtain a response from the RCMP regarding the incident have not been successful as of yet.
