Soaring Eagles: Indigenous teens introduced to policing careers

Participants in the Soaring Eagle after their graduation ceremony on Aug. 10, 2018, in Edmonton, Alberta. Photo: David Bloom / Postmedia

The R.C.M.P. have begun a recruiting program aimed at Indigenous youth called “Soaring Eagle” and apparently modeled after the Canadian military’s programs “Bold Eagle”, “Soaring Bird”, “Black Bear”, and “Raven”.

by Stephen Cook, Edmonton Journal, August 10, 2018

Indigenous teens got the chance to train like police this week in the inaugural Soaring Eagles Indigenous Youth Camp.

Hailing from all over Alberta, the class of 16- to 19-year-olds spent the last week sleeping in barracks and attending classes about policing careers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in preparation for Friday’s graduation at RCMP K Division Headquarters.

RCMP ‘sloppy’ and ‘negligent’ in investigating Colten Boushie’s death, say independent experts

‘The RCMP needs a lot more training,’ said Toronto-based investigator

By David Common, Chelsea Gomez, CBC News, March 6, 2018

Colten Boushie’s family wasn’t entirely surprised last month when a Saskatchewan jury acquitted Gerald Stanley of the murder of the young Cree man.

They had sensed holes in the RCMP investigation from the beginning.

“The RCMP did a botched-up job,” said Debbie Baptiste, Boushie’s mom. “They looked, and then they looked away.”

Emergency measures, military support: Documents reveal heightened concern about Muskrat Falls security

The last of seven transformers for the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project rolls through at the gate in late August 2017. (Jacob Barker/CBC)

Military provided lodging, meals as police mobilized in the face of more Muskrat Falls-related protests

By Terry Roberts, CBC News, Feb 1, 2018

The Canadian military quietly assisted during a large deployment of police officers to Labrador in 2017 amid fears of more protests about the controversial Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.

Racial tension hangs over Sask. as trial for farmer who allegedly killed Indigenous man looms

Colten Boushie, shot to death in August 2016 by a Saskatchewan farmer.

There are fears that the trial of Gerald Stanley, charged with second-degree murder in the death of Colten Boushie, could inflame racial tensions

by Douglas Quan, National Post, Jan 26, 2018

Asked how nervous he was feeling this week, Ames Leslie, the mayor of Battleford, Sask., was cautious, saying he was hopeful “that cooler minds prevail.”

That’s because on Monday, jury selection is set to begin in one of the highest-profile, racially tinged cases the province has seen: the second-degree murder trial of a white, rural farmer accused of fatally shooting a young Indigenous man.

RCMP break into camper to arrest pipeline protesters

RCMP used a battering ram to break into the trailer parked at Kinder Morgan facility in Burnaby, a suburb of Vancouver.

by Penny Daflos, CTV News, Jan 11, 2018

A large group of Burnaby RCMP closed off two roads, served anti-pipeline protestors with a warrant and used a battering ram to arrest two women Wednesday evening.

Several activists recorded the encounter, posting portions to social media and sharing further documentation with CTV News. The videos depict a chaotic scene with Mounties trying to arrest two people inside a mobile camping trailer as protesters yell at them. One officer ultimately smashes the camper door with a portable battering ram.

Charges dropped against Siksika man who suffered broken bones at hands of RCMP

Photos of Christian Duck Chief were taken by his family as he was recovering in hospital. Charges of resisting arrest and assaulting a peace officer were dropped by the prosecutor Thursday. (Facebook)

Christian Duck Chief suffered a broken eye socket, fractured cheek bone and broken nose

By Meghan Grant, CBC News, Nov 30, 2017

All charges have been dropped against a man from the Siksika First Nation southeast of Calgary who suffered broken facial bones during a violent RCMP arrest last year.

Canadian police spied on Indigenous protesters on Parliament Hill

By Hilary Beaumont, Vice News Canada, Nov 10, 2017

Documents obtained by VICE News show the RCMP watched closely as Indigenous protesters erected a teepee on Parliament Hill this summer, with the force’s national protective intelligence unit believing activists could disrupt Canada Day celebrations, and that the ceremony attended by communists “may not remain peaceful.”

Tensions rise in fish farm dispute

RCMP officers, one wearing a mask, during discussion with fish farm opponents, October 2017.

David Suzuki and BC Chiefs lend support for Fish Farm protests

by Hanna Petersen, North Island Gazette, October 18, 2017

Three fish farm protestors have been summoned to court for their participation in the occupation of three Marine Harvest fish farms off the coast of Vancouver Island.

The injunctions were served by the RCMP on Monday, just days after a gathering that included renowned Canadian scientist David Suzuki, Chiefs representing a number of BC First Nations, and local supporters near Swanson Island was held to voice support for the occupation.

Tensions rise between RCMP and First Nations against fish farms

RCMP escorting fish farm vessel, October 2017.

by Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw Cleansing Our Waters, October 17, 2017

For Immediate Release

RCMP, Marine Harvest, and Department of Fisheries and Oceans has just arrived on site to where Members from six First Nations of the Kwakwaka’wakw have been occupying fish farms, in their territorial waters for nearly two months near Alert Bay, B.C.

B.C. First Nations say another occupation possible after fish farm restocking

Protest outside of BC Premier John Horgan’s office in Victoria, BC, October 13, 2017.

by Laurie Hamelin, APTN National News, October 14, 2017

Just days after meeting with B.C. Premier John Horgan and sending a clear message that fish farms are not wanted in the northern part of the province, community members occupying one farm are now say another occupation is possible after watching RCMP in black zodiacs escort a restocking ship travelling to a fish farm near Alert Bay, where the Horgan meeting took place.