Too many ‘tragic ends’: First Nations call for public inquiry into justice system

By John Chilibeck  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Chief George Ginnish says he’s seen too many of his people thrown in jail. The leader from Natoaganeg (Eel Ground First Nation) in eastern New Brunswick blames a criminal justice system that he says is stacked against Indigenous people, part of the legacy of colonialism and racism. “I’ve seen so many times youngsters go plead guilty to a charge that will follow them around because there are no First Nations court workers to help them,” said Ginnish, who’s also co-chair of Mi’gmawe’l Tplu’taqnn Inc., an organization representing most Mi’kmaq communities in New Brunswick. “They’re going into a justice system that provides them no supports. We’ve got so many of our people that live under the poverty line, how can they afford representation to…

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