WENDAKE, QC, Dec. 2, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The elected women of First Nations Quebec-Labrador support the Chiefs of the AFNQL in their call for an immediate provincial independent judicial inquiry into all the aspects of relations between the police Services and First Nations throughout Quebec.

The Elected Women of the AFNQL are affected by the denunciations by First Nations women alleging acts of abuse of power, violence and sexual assaults by police officers of the Sûreté du Québec. The Elected Women of the AFNQL are shaken by the statements of the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions, who in his report, insisted in stating that the "fact that no charges are being laid in certain cases doesn't mean that the alleged events did not occur." The Elected Women of the AFNQL are scandalized by the persistence of systemic racism on the part of police forces against members of Quebec First Nations, as noted by the independent observer appointed by the Quebec Government, Me Fannie Lafontaine.

"During my meeting on November 30, 2016 with Premier Couillard, I clearly insisted for the launching of an independent judicial inquiry on the relations between our populations and police services", stated Chief Adrienne Jérôme of Lac Simon, and member of the AFNQL Elected Women Working Group.

Elected women of First Nations Quebec-Labrador work for the well-being, development and safety of the members of their respective communities and are deeply concerned by the dramatic events affecting their sisters in Val-d'Or.

"The Elected Women of the AFNQL wish to make sure that the women, girls and all members of First Nations communities have a future based on justice and respect for human rights. We invite the population to support the women of the First Nations by signing the petition available on the website of the National Assembly". stated Vice-Chief Marjolaine Étienne of Mashteuiatsh and member of the AFNQL Elected Women Working Group.

The Elected Women of the AFNQL demand that concrete actions be taken, in the short term, in order to establish healthy and equitable relations between policing services throughout Quebec and the First Nations. 

About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is the political organization regrouping 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. www.apnql-afnql.com.

SOURCE Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador