The Dene Nation says the historic surveillance of Indigenous rights activists by the RCMP amounts to an infringement on civil liberties and further perpetuates systemic discrimination against Indigenous communities.
On Tuesday, CBC began publishing a series of reports stemming from an investigation into police surveillance of Indigenous rights activists from 1968 to 1982 by what was then called the “Racial Intelligence Section” of the RCMP’s Security Service.
Cabin Radio has not independently confirmed the details of those reports.
CBC’s investigation found that hundreds of people and at least 30 political organizations were monitored by the RCMP branch through wiretaps, paid informants, “covert operatives” and more.
In a Wednesday press release, Dene National Chief George Mackenzie was quoted as saying that these activities were “part of a long-standing history of monitoring in efforts to control Indigenous peoples in Canada.”
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“This legacy of surveillance has been a tool of colonial control, undermining Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination,” the release stated.
According to CBC, Georges Erasmus, who was president of the Dene Nation from 1976 to 1983, appeared in the RCMP’s surveillance reports over a period of 10 years beginning in 1971.
Erasmus said officers would park outside the Dene Nation office in Yellowknife and take photos using a telephoto lens.
Mackenzie said the operations undermine public trust in the RCMP.
“It is imperative that the Canadian government and the RCMP take concrete steps to address these violations of civil liberties and make real efforts to rebuilding trust with Indigenous communities,” Wednesday’s release stated.
