Despite years of reconciliation efforts, the number of indigenous members in the RCMP is less than it was a decade ago, says Blacklock's Reporter..Internal auditors complained many police were unsure what reconciliation meant..“It is not clear what reconciliation means for each employee,” said an audit..“There was no common working definition reflecting on the concept of reconciliation as it relates to the RCMP’s actions.”.The audit noted First Nations, Inuit and Métis police “indicated they were treated with respect” in the RCMP but that indigenous recruitment was declining..“Indigenous representation within the regular member population has been slowly declining for the last decade,” wrote auditors..“Between 2010 and 2020 indigenous enrolment in the cadet training program declined from 6% to 4% and indigenous representation in the RCMP declined from 8% to 7%,” said the report..Auditors complained there “is currently no national strategic plan for reconciliation,” “plans often consist of lists of activities rather than strategic priorities” and “the RCMP has been largely reactive” on indigenous issues..The report dated RCMP misconduct from the 1885 hanging of Métis leader Louis Riel at police barracks in Regina. Instructors at the training academy today are expected “to enhance awareness of indigenous cultures,” said the report..Auditors did not estimate total RCMP spending on reconciliation programs..“The RCMP was a dominant and consistent face of the Government of Canada policies that devastated traditional life among indigenous peoples in Canada including forced relocation activities that isolated people onto reserves and separation of children from their families through Residential Schools and the child welfare system,” wrote staff..The 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission defined reconciliation as an “awareness of the past, an acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.”.Murray Sinclair, former Commission chair, testified at 2017 hearings of the Commons heritage committee that police in Canada were inherently racist.
