Police chiefs gather in Winnipeg to promote reconciliation

Police chiefs from across Canada are in Winnipeg this week to discuss ways to better protect Indigenous citizens, understand colonial history and improve relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Mtisresidents.

Over the next two days, theCanadian Association of Chiefs of Police will meet with Indigenous leaders, justice officials and social-service agency representatives at a Fairmont Hotelconference called "Moving Forward, Safer Futures."

The 200-person gathering, organized as part of Mayor Brian Bowman's"year of reconciliation" proclamation, offers a chance for police services and other government agenciesto recognize the historical and recent factors that have led Indigenous Canadians to be more likely to live in poverty, be victimized by crime and have contact with the criminal justice system, saidWinnipeg Police Service DeputyChief Danny Smyth.

He's taking part in a panel on improvingsocial equity, which is shorthand for reducingthe socio-economic chasm dividing Indigenous Canadians and other residents. Outgoing Winnipeg Police Chief Devon Clunis has made this a priority, even though he acknowledged the police can only do so much on their own.

"The policeare onlyone partof it. There's larger issues at stake here, both in health and government," Smyth said Monday in an interview.

"Certainly, the policing communitycan help takea lead in this. We're that one service that'sout there all the time, and certainlyif we can lend our voicein someof these things to help influencepolicy makers and government Ithink that's a good thing."

Smyth said Winnipeg is an appropriate place for the conference, due to the large size of the city's Indigenous community and efforts taken by both Clunis and Bowman to promote reconciliation.

The mayor will address the conference on Tuesday. Premier Brian Pallister will follow suit on Wednesday.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde is taking part in the conference, along with Indigenous leaders from Manitoba.