#ChantelMoore, 26, of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, was shot and killed by police in Edmundston, NB, on June 4. Since then, I have noticed a number of reports or statements referring to her in relation to mental health "wellness checks" by police.
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tj.news/story/10132023…
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tj.news/story/10132023…
Judith Sayers, a spokesperson for Martha Martin, the victim's mother, says Moore didn't have any mental health issues. Much remains unknown about what happened but family has said they believe she was being harassed, and an ex-boyfriend in Montreal called the police.
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Police have said they received a request to "check on the well-being of a woman at an apartment building." The police officer shot Moore after he was "confronted at the scene" - her home in downtown Edmundston - by a woman holding a knife who made threats."
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This happened at or around 2:37 a.m. Family members have said she was celebrating with a friend earlier that night - she had just moved to Edmundston to be closer to her mother and daughter.
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The fact that she's being remembered as mentally ill is an example of victim blaming, say advocates for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
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Michelle Perley and Elizabeth Blaney of the New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council warn that deeply-ingrained stereotypes normalize violence against Indigenous women collectively in Canada.
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This relates to the MMIWG inquiry, which found that victim-blaming and stereotypes have often impeded or slowed investigations. Media also have a major role in perpetuating stereotypes.
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This is not meant to discredit well-meaning journalists, mental health advocates and others trying to raise awareness about problems related to mental health and addiction services or "wellness checks" by police etc.
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But I think we should ask ourselves, knowing what we know about #MMIWG in this country, if an Indigenous woman answering the door with a knife - while fearing for her safety - is the action of someone who is mentally ill.
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