New Brunswick’s Wolastoqey chiefs say they will not participate in the government’s commission on systemic racism.
Instead, they have renewed their calls for an independent inquiry to review systemic racism against Indigenous peoples.
“Make no mistake: this commission is not a replacement for the inquiry we asked for,” the chiefs said in a joint news release on Wednesday.
The chiefs said the commission, led by Dr. Manju Varma, lacks the “critical lived experience” needed to address matters that directly affect Indigenous communities
Their statement goes on to say that while they support action against systemic racism for other racialized groups, the issues faced by Indigenous peoples are “unique and complex.”
“Participating would make us complicit in this government’s efforts to sweep this complex, essential issue under the rug. It would not bring our people closer to justice,” the statement said.
Varma was appointed as the province’s independent commissioner on systemic racism in late September.
She has been given one year to hold public consultations on the “nature and impact of systemic racism” and create a final report.
The report will include recommendations for the government on developing a provincial strategy and an action plan to address sector concerns such as barriers to opportunity; equitable access to programs and services; and systemic racism in health care, education, social development, housing, employment and criminal justice.
The cost of the commissioner and her work is estimated to be $500,000 and will be funded by the provincial government.
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