Quebec's Indigenous inquiry to explore 'climate of tension and mistrust'

The retired judge presiding over a probeinto thetreatment of Indigenous people in Quebec says he wants find out what led to a "climate of tension and mistrust" in Val-d'Or and across the province.

Former Superior Court justiceJacquesVienstold a news conference Thursday thegoal of the two-yearinquiry, officiallylaunched Thursday,is to listen, encouragereconciliationand move forward together.

He welcomed testimony from anyone who wants to raise concerns about "any form of violence, discriminatory practices or different treatment in the provision of services to the Indigenouspeople of Quebec."

Representatives ofthe national inquiry intomissing and murdered aboriginal women were on hand for the announcement. That federal inquiryis towork inconjunctionwith the provincial probe.

• Val-d'Or is forcing Quebec to think about big problems

Cautious optimism

First Nations women who attended the inquiry's launch says Indigenous people have the power to make it a success.

Melissa Saganash, the director of Cree-Quebec relations for the Grand Council of the Crees, says people have to talk about their experiences.

"The people need to come. They are the ones who are living this reality and they will be the people the best-placed to provide some solutions, and say what's happening,"she said.

The commission begins this spring by hearing from civil servants and managers who work in the health, social and justice services. But in the meantime, people can send in their experiences or complaints in writing or by phone.

At that point, the prosecutor's team will investigate, check with the local provincial office so Quebec government employees, whether they be doctors, social workers, correctional officers or police, can comment.

Prosecutor Christian Leblanc says if the public inquiry hears the same story from a variety of people, that will prove systemic discrimination.

"They have the power to investigate that story," says Saganash. "And still if after that, nothing is coming out, and there is complete denial, there is another tool: the judge can call people to come and testify."

Commission will complement federal inquiry

Premier PhilippeCouillardannounced the inquiry last December, saying it would focus on how Indigenous communities across the provinceare treated by various public bodies, including the police, correctional services, youth protection and the health caresystem.

Couillardsaid the provincial inquirywould not re-examine the allegationsof police abuse inVal-d'Or, but would look into systemic relations in the region betweenpolice and Indigenous people, as wellas complement the federal inquiry.

The commission of inquiry will look at the last 15 years of Indigenous and provincial relationsand holdhearingswith Indigenous people, police and other affected communities in Val'd'Or and, if the commission deems it necessary, other regions in Quebec.

The inquiry's workis expected to be completed byNov. 30, 2018.