New APTN Investigates looks into tensions between security guards and Indigenous people | APTN News

[00:00:00]As retail theft rises, so do allegations of racial discrimination. In Winnipeg, violent encounters with security guards and indigenous people have sparked outrage. Coming up this week on an all new episode of APTN Investigates, video journalist Tamara Pimentel looks into the racial tension and systemic issues surrounding these growing confrontations. With more, Tamara joins us now.

[00:00:23]Thanks for joining us, Tamara. We've been hearing of these encounters with security guards happening across the country, but I guess why is the focus on Winnipeg?

[00:00:32]>> So, here in Winnipeg, the issue sort of blew up back in March. That's when a video went viral that showed a security guard using brass knuckles on an indigenous man who had been trying to steal at a Dollarama. Um, a protest followed that and within the same week there were more violent encounters happening between security guards and indigenous people that were being caught on camera. So, following that, a public meeting was held where victims of racial profiling were able to publicly speak about their own stories. So, it's clear that this has been a major issue specifically in Winnipeg for quite a while and this situation just brought it back into the spotlight.

[00:01:15]>> From what you've been hearing, what are some of the root causes behind these encounters that are often caught on camera?

[00:01:22]>> So, the more we spoke with people who are deeply impacted by racial profiling, we found that the root cause is a number of things. It's a mixture of poverty and crime and systemic discrimination.

[00:01:36]And this story answers to those things.

[00:01:38]Why are people in a position where they can't afford food or access a food bank?

[00:01:44]And a question many asked me is what sort of things are newcomers being told about indigenous people when they move to Canada? Are they picking up negative stereotypes that might impact how indigenous people are looked at and being treated. So, we look into those things as well.

[00:02:03]>> And is there anything being done to address these growing confrontations?

[00:02:08]>> So, following that public meeting, it was held by Indigenous People's Alliance of Manitoba.

[00:02:13]Um the province of Manitoba has agreed to take these issues on and work with the alliance on updating the current training module um offered by the province. We spoke with Minister Matt Wiebe who admitted that the training is extremely outdated.

[00:02:30]Uh in our story, you will see that we did get access to that online training module that the minister mentioned. Just so we can see those gaps for ourselves.

[00:02:40]So, things like Indigenous cultural training isn't currently part of that module and it is supposed to be it's supposed to be implemented um I believe this fall. That's what the minister told me. So, we will see if that happens.

[00:02:58]>> Thanks for your time today, Tamara, and for your work on the story.

[00:03:01]>> Thank you.