The RCMP shares the same goals as the Government of Canada and the Commissioners of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls — to examine the systemic causes of violence against Indigenous women and girls in Canada, and prevent and eliminate further violence. The RCMP is committed to giving the National Inquiry its full cooperation and support. To this end, the RCMP will have witnesses represented on all three public panels of this week's Institutional Hearing on Police Services and Practices in Regina, Saskatchewan.
Earlier today, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki delivered the following statement at the start of the Institutional Hearing.
Thank you so much for having me here today. I'd like to acknowledge the land we are gathered on is Treaty 4 and the traditional territory of the Cree and Saulteaux, Assiniboine and Métis people.
The Inquiry and these Hearings have provided families with an opportunity to tell their truths. I am listening, and I will continue to do so throughout my tenure as Commissioner.
This week, the National Inquiry is hearing from police for the first time. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Thank you so much for having the courage to speak up about the injustices you experienced and the times you felt disrespected, ignored and neglected by the RCMP.
On behalf of myself and my organization, I am truly sorry for the loss of your loved ones and for the pain this has caused you, your families, and your communities. I'm sorry that for too many of you, the RCMP was not the police service you needed it to be during this terrible time in your life.
It's very clear to me that the RCMP could have done better. I promise to you, we will do better. You are entitled to nothing less than our best work in your communities.
I believe it's never too late to do the right thing, and I want this apology to be one more step in the RCMP's commitment to Reconciliation. Although we're not the only solution to the issue of violence against Indigenous women, girls and the Two-Spirit-LGBTQ community, we know we have a large role to play when it comes to preventing that violence, and bringing perpetrators to justice.
Brenda Lucki
RCMP Commissioner