A national Indigenous organization is accusing the La Ronge RCMP of systemic racism.
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples held a virtual press conference in Ottawa Monday in support of La Ronge resident Emily Kammermayer.
The 20-year-old First Nations woman is alleging three RCMP officers used excessive force against her last month resulting in a concussion.
The incident happened at the La Ronge Health Centre.
CAP Vice-Chief Kim Beaudin said Kammermayer was inappropriately treated by both the hospital and police simply because she is Indigenous.
“It’s also a case of systemic racism in our healthcare system, unprofessional conduct by the RCMP and police brutality,” he said. “All because of a mother, an Indigenous woman, who was trying to get attention for her son.”
Kammermayer took her two-year-old son to the hospital on Dec. 29 after he injured his arm.
When the attending doctor refused to authorize an x-ray, an argument ensued and police were called.
She was originally charged with assault, assault of a police officer and resisting arrest.
Police have since added the charges of uttering threats, assault with a weapon, mischief and obstructing a police officer.
Beaudin said he believes the extra charges were added as a form of intimidation after Kammermayer made an official complaint with the force.
“I believe this was a direct retaliation as a result of filing this complaint against the RCMP. I believe that.”
During the media conference, Kammermayer said the assault with a weapon charge refers to her slamming of a door on the doctor in the waiting room during the argument.
She said at no time did she actually physically touch the doctor.
An RCMP press release says a complaint regarding the incident was received earlier this month and is currently being investigated by the professional responsibility unit.
The unit is responsible for completing public complaints and code of conduct investigations.
If a complainant is unsatisfied with the outcome of an investigation, they can file a subsequent complaint with the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP.
A review of the incident is also being conducted by the RCMP’s North District Management Team.
(PHOTO: Congress of Aboriginal Peoples Vice-Chief Kim Beaudin. Photo courtesy of Kim Beaudin Facebook page.)