New Brunswick talks on Indigenous-led justice inquiry

The New Brunswick government has begun preliminary discussions with First Nations leaders to establish an Indigenous-led public inquiry into systemic racism, officials announced. The inquiry is expected to focus primarily on the province's justice system.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Keith Chiasson confirmed that early talks are underway and that the Liberal government fully supports the initiative. He stated that further meetings between the government and First Nations leaders will take place in the coming months to develop specifics, though a formal timeline for the inquiry has not yet been set.

The announcement follows six years of sustained calls from First Nations leaders in New Brunswick for an independent, Indigenous-led public inquiry. The previous Progressive Conservative government had responded to these calls by establishing a broader anti-racism action plan. That approach drew criticism from some who argued it failed to address the distinct experiences of Indigenous peoples by grouping them with other racialized communities.

Sitansisk First Nation Chief Allan Polchies indicated that the planned inquiry's scope will be centered on systemic issues within the justice...