Athabasca Tribal Council Calls for Policing Reforms Following ASIRT Report on Chief Allan Adam’s Arrest

FORT McMURRAY, Alta. — The Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) has expressed shock and dismay following the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team’s (ASIRT) report into the 2020 arrest of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) Chief Allan Adam, clearing RCMP officers of any wrongdoing.

The ASIRT investigation, released last week, concluded that RCMP acted lawfully in their use of force during the arrest and found no evidence of racism or racially motivated behaviour. Chief Adam’s vehicle had been pulled over outside a downtown casino for expired plates, leading to a confrontation with police.

In their report, ASIRT investigators cited a thorough review of available evidence, including police audio recordings in which Chief Adam allegedly made violent threats toward officers, which could have resulted in additional charges.

The ATC strongly disagrees with ASIRT’s findings, describing the decision as “yet another glaring failure of accountability within Canada’s colonial policing system.” The council reiterated its support for Chief Adam, calling him a champion of Indigenous rights and a leader who consistently advocates for equity for First Nations people.

“This case highlights the systemic abuse and discrimination that First Nations individuals continue to face in policing and justice systems,” the ATC said in a statement, adding that it underscores the urgent need for reforms in these systems to address long-standing inequities and biases against Indigenous communities.

The ATC is calling for changes to Canada’s policing and justice systems to ensure accountability and equitable treatment for Indigenous peoples.