Turtle Island Native Network

http://www.turtleisland.org

WITHOUT PREJUDICE

The following material is intended for discussion purposes and consideration, to assist in addressing the key issues raised during the inquest, and with the desire to see necessary change so what happened to Anthany never happens to anyone again…and to make sure that the 'system' learn from all of this and meaningful changes are made and effective procedures implemented in a timely way.

November 23, 2000

By Tehaliwaskenhas – Bob Kennedy, Oneida

I have some thoughts regarding possible recommendations.

1.) Because it is obvious Anthany was experiencing a medical crisis, there must be better training for police so they are better equipped to respond to the needs of individuals who are suffering like Anthany was. This training should include descriptions of the likely behaviour of individuals suffering from a variety of illnesses. This also means 'sensitivity' training. The use of force to deal with these circumstances should not be a police officer's only means of responding and if force is necessary it should be with medical guidance. It's apparent there was not a coordinated response by paramedics and police on the scene. Provincial policies need to be reviewed to ensure they address the issues raised in the circumstances surrounding Anthany's apprehension.

2.) An Aboriginal response team should be part of the police, paramedic, and hospital services in Victoria. Whenever an Aboriginal person is in contact with the 'system' in a crisis situation, this response team must be alerted and brought to the scene immediately. Perhaps the person assigned to this case would have known Anthany and might have been able to assist officials at the scene. There must be an integrated response policy and process to protect the interests of Aboriginal individuals and the Aboriginal community's special needs generally. Protocol agreements need to be established between local Aboriginal organizations and the Victoria Police to develop a network of cooperation to ensure that in circumstances like this there is a coordinated community and police response to ongoing issues that have been identified regarding individual members of the Aboriginal community.

3.) The Victoria Police department through the guidance of the Ministry of the Attorney General develop an Aboriginal Strategic Plan to guide its operations and reflect its operating policies as sensitive to community needs. The Ministry for Children and Families is the lead provincial ministry in developing Aboriginal strategies and should work with other ministries and agencies to assist them in developing specific Aboriginal policies. This must be a coordinated effort and should involve the police department working with key emergency and health ministries to improve guidelines and policies to assist the police in doing their job in these extreme situations whenever they come in contact with Aboriginal people.

4.) The Victoria Police Department be encouraged to continue and accelerate the community development work initiated with the Aboriginal community prior to Anthany's death. Efforts to improve relations must continue. But first there must be mutual healing.

5.) The Victoria Police Department should publicly offer condolences to the Dawson family and indicate its intentions to work closely with the Aboriginal community to ensure similar situations are best avoided in the future. This would be without prejudice and would not necessarily mean an admission of any guilt. It is however, necessary to provide a clear demonstration of the Police Department's intention to make changes. The Aboriginal community will not accept the Victoria Police Department, the Paramedics, or the hospitals beliefs that there can be no improvements. During their testimony medical experts have provided many examples of how the system can be improved and the suggestions must be taken seriously.