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Source: sovernet-l@lists.speakeasy.org; Mon, 28 Feb 2000]

Sask. aboriginals reject informal inquiry into deaths
WebPosted Wed Feb 23 15:56:54 2000

SASKATOON - Aboriginal leaders in Saskatchewan have rejected a proposal from
the Saskatoon Police Commission for an informal inquiry into how the police
deal with aboriginal people.
INDEPTH: Aboriginal Canadians

Local, provincial and national aboriginal leaders want a full judicial
inquiry and they want it to start right away.
In a week, the scope of the investigation into a possible link between
police and four aboriginal men who died this winter has expanded.
The RCMP have more than 30 officers and support staff looking into the
deaths of the men.
More than 100 people have contacted the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian
Nations with complaints that they too have been driven to the outskirts of
Saskatchewan communities and dumped by police.
The Saskatoon Police Commission has offered to set up an informal inquiry.
In a letter to the mayor, the Saskatoon Tribal Council turned down that
idea. "We indicated our wishes to remain with our organization, the
Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, to seek a full, independent
inquiry," said Joe Quewezance the council's chief.
Saskatchewan Justice Minister Chris Axworthy says he's not opposed in
principle to an inquiry. However, Axworthy says under no circumstances will
he set up an inquiry until the RCMP finishes its investigation into the the
Saskatoon city police and the deaths.

Garth Materie reports for CBC Radio
 

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