(Submitted photo/Bridgette Fiddler)

By Nicole Reis

WALK FOR MMIWG

MMIWG walk to take place today at Waterhen Lake First Nation

Jun 26, 2020 | 12:00 PM

It has been a year since the loss of Robin Fiddler and her family are still awaiting answers from RCMP and the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) about the way their niece was killed after an interaction with a Calgary police officer.

Bridgette Fiddler, Robin’s aunt and organizer of today’s memorial service, told meadowlakeNOW a walk will be held this afternoon in Waterhen Lake First Nation as a way to heal from their loss and bring awareness to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

“I know that you need a lot of support when it comes to that,” Bridgette said. “There are so many questions but no answers – we want answers and an inquiry.”

Bridgette explained her niece Robin was walking through an alley on the evening of June 26, 2019 when she encountered a police officer working alone. After an altercation, the mother of three was shot twice and killed.

“As an Indigenous women, it seems like we’re disrespected,” she said. “As women, we need to voice our concerns and speak out because [Robin’s death] shouldn’t have happened.”

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The Fiddler family wants accountability for the police officer actions and are calling for additional police training, more police oversight and changes to the justice system.

The awareness walk is scheduled to take place this afternoon (June 26) at 3 p.m. and anyone is able to join. Members of Waterhen Lake First Nation and the family of Robin Fiddler plan to gather at the tracks at Waweyekisik Educational Centre, known as Waterhen School and walk toward the MMIWG memorial site behind the “blue building.” The service is expected to last until approximately 5 p.m.

Angela Fiddler, spokesperson and cousin of Robin Fiddler said while unions may build a better Canada for wages, safety and jobs, the police union in particular seems to have policies in place where it may be difficult to hold an officer accountable for their actions. She wants to see cultural awareness training in detachments so officers can understand what has been endured by Indigenous peoples over the last 100 years through residential school generational suffering.

“I think that all [people] need to come together because it’s not just Indigenous people who are being hurt or killed by police,” Angela said. “We all need to stand together to make changes in the system so that everyone is treated equally and so the outcome is different.”

“Until non-Indigenous people actually stand up then problems like this are still going to be an issue where our people are being killed or discriminated against,” Angela said.

Family and community members will hold a ceremony at the beginning of the service to speak on issues such as police brutality before lighting a candle and heading towards the memorial site. People are encouraged to come to their own process of healing by speaking about truths and injustices.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722