Police bring in speaker for Indigenous Awareness Training

Chief Andy McGrogan says he first heard Fortier speak at last year’s Alberta’s Association of Chief of Police meeting.

“When I listened to Holly the first time, my comment to her after was I’ll never drive through a reserve and think the same way again,” he said. “Knowledge is power. And I just thought it would be so important to bring this back to the police service so that when our people are dealing with Indigenous people they have a clearer understanding of what they’ve been through and what their history is. And therefore what we can do to work better together.”

Fortier’s presentation focused on historic issues that Indigenous people have experienced like residential schools and the Indian Act.

As well as the issues and challenges they are still dealing with.

“What’s so unique about Holly is she tells the story without anger. And she has every right to be angry with everything that’s happened and all they’ve been through,” he continued. “But she tells it in such a way that the ladies and gentlemen of this police service are actually going to hear her. And so again, knowledge is power. And when we understand each other we just get along better, we’re better neighbours.”

While McGrogan says that this presentation and training will make a difference, he says it is just the beginning.

“One of the last parts of this session is you know all those things you use to say, you’re forgiven. But think about it tomorrow,” he said. “Let’s try and get it right. It’s a journey. We’re not going to come to a four-hour session and going to be perfect tomorrow. But it’s the way we start, I guess, really understanding each other and some of the issues that they face” he said.

by Hayley Ferguson

Police bring in speaker for Indigenous Awareness Training

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