New Brunswick’s six Wolastoqey Nation leaders are renewing calls for an inquiry on systemic racism in the province.
It comes as the first session of the legislature since September’s provincial election begins Tuesday afternoon.
Chief Gabriel Atwin of Kingsclear First Nation accused the Blaine Higgs government of ignoring their calls for an inquiry.
“We called on government to launch an inquiry into systemic racism within 30 days of the election, here we are and the government continues to refuse to listen,” said Atwin in a news release.
Two months after the government was elected and seven weeks after its cabinet was appointed, Atwin said none of the Wolastoqey chiefs has heard from the premier or Aboriginal Affairs minister.
The chiefs are now pleading with members of the Legislative Assembly to force action from the Higgs government.
Atwin said there are “cracks” in Higgs’ majority government with PC MLA and former Aboriginal Affairs minister Jake Stewart having already said he would support an inquiry.
“We hope other PC MLAs will do the same,” he said, noting there are five
Atwin called on the six MLAs who represent the five other Wolastoqey Nations to “consider their conscience and their obligation to their Indigenous constituents” and vote accordingly.
“They can ensure that justice is served and systemic racism finally begins to end in this province,” he said.
The new session of the legislature will begin with the throne speech at 1 p.m. Tuesday.
