Val d’Or continues to address allegations of abuse  against aboriginal women

In October 2015, Radio-Canada program “Enquête” brought to light alleged abuse and sexual assaults against Aboriginal women in Val d’Or by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ). In the outcry that followed, First Nations communities in the area began calls for boycotts against the City of Val d’Or.

"The chiefs and members of all the Algonquin communities have been deeply affected by the story of these women, and we believe it is important to affirm our solidarity with regard to the Aboriginal women who are victims and the communities directly involved," said Verna Polson, Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council, in a statement released by her office October 29.

Georges Lafontaine, the Communications Officer for the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council, said that the boycott ended in mid-December and that life is slowly returning to normal in the community.

“The Chief and the mayor have made a joint declaration against racism,” Lafontaine told The Bulletin. “We are trying to open discussions with all authorities and communities in the region.”

Lafontaine says that the heart of the problem still needs to be dealt with and that just throwing money at it is not the solution. He said that the underlying causes of the community’s drug, alcohol and economic problems need to be addressed. “We need to let the kids know that there is hope for the future,” said Lafontaine. “We are trying to bring the Algonquin Nation together to
create opportunity for everyone.”

The investigation into the allegations against the SQ is ongoing. In total, eight SQ officers were put under investigation over the abuse allegations; two have been cleared so far. The investigation is being conducted by the Montreal police.