A meeting between Poundmaker’s Lodge Treatment Centre, TD Canada Trust and the RCMP following an incident of alleged racial profiling earlier this month has resulted in the lodge calling off a boycott of the bank.
Media releases issued Feb. 12, from the lodge, Alberta RCMP and TD Canada Trust all indicate representatives of the three groups met in a healing circle ceremony on Feb. 10 and came to an understanding.
“In the spirit of the ceremony, we have decided to discontinue our Alberta Human Rights complaint and the boycott,” lodge director Brad Cardinal said.
A week prior, on Feb. 5, Poundmaker’s Lodge staff alleged the bank and RCMP were guilty of racial profiling after an incident where a customer of the bank reported she had heard a group of people – who were in a marked Poundmaker’s Lodge van – talking about robbing the bank. Bank officials phoned police and RCMP responded.
Lodge staff said clients had been treated unfairly while just trying to do their banking and added the posture from police who responded was immediately confrontational. Cardinal said when he tried to contact the local detachment to discuss the issue he got an unhelpful response.
Representatives from the bank and RCMP said proper protocols were followed because any report of a possible robbery is taken very seriously.
The lodge had filed a complaint with the Alberta Human Right Tribunal and urged First Nations and their supporters to boycott the bank as a result of the incident, and the response from police.
One of the main concerns Cardinal expressed was the fact that in attempting to offer an apology, bank officials and RCMP neglected to research and employ the correct cultural protocols – bringing a gift of tobacco is a sign of respect, and opens the door to dialogue.
Lisa Colangelo, a vice-president with TD Canada Trust in Edmonton, said she was honoured to take part in the ceremony, noting bank staff can learn and grow from the experience and strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities.
“The ceremony involved a lot of listening, respecting, understanding and a commitment by all participants to move forward together in a positive way,” she said.
Several senior members of the Alberta RCMP also took part in the ceremony, which the organization described as a collaborative effort on the part of the three institutions. A follow-up meeting is expected, but not yet scheduled.
Insp. Honey Dwyer, the RCMP officer in charge of Aboriginal Policing Services in Alberta, said the three groups have a shared desire to continue a dialogue on this topic and enhance relationships.
“I was touched by the emotions expressed by all, and look forward to formalizing an action plan that continues to build upon this first step,” she said.
