New position with Winnipeg police will help families of MMIWG
Whether working with youth in care, survivors of domestic violence or families navigating the justice system, Angie Tuesday has dedicated her life's work to providing culturally appropriate and supportive guidance to Indigenous peoples during times of trauma and uncertainty.
Tuesday will now apply her knowledge and skills in her role as the family support and resource advocate for the Winnipeg Police Service.
Police announced Wednesday that the First Nations woman would take on the newly created role that fulfils a commitment made by Chief Danny Smyth a year ago.
The position was designed to support families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls as they search for answers related to their loved one's death or disappearance. It will co-ordinate access to agencies, partners and services as well as connect families to culturally safe resources in the community that could assist them in their healing journey, police said in a news release.
"Families have indicated that there is a gap in terms of information that they can get from the various systems, and so my role is to try to bridge that gap within the Winnipeg Police but also, as I see it, to help navigate other systems that they might be engaged with and might need information from," Tuesday said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
She spent the last nine years as a victim services worker with the Manitoba government, supporting families as they went through the justice system. Her work with the province also gave her the opportunity to engage with traditional elders, grandmothers and knowledge keepers as well as community organizations, she said.
"All of those different roles have sort of helped to build my capacity and build my knowledge of differing experiences of trauma and what supports may be needed to help people who are experiencing trauma or crisis," said Tuesday.
She said she also relies on her own experiences to help build a connection with families.
Tuesday was 16-years-old when her family faced the traumatic loss of her sister.
"I live in my truth and I help families from where I'm coming from. I put a little bit of myself into that support," said Tuesday.
Police said the role is in response to the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Tuesday will not be limited to working on those files, but police expect most of her work will include such cases.
She will work alongside investigators in the missing persons, counter exploitation, homicide and historical homicide units.
Insp. Bonnie Emerson, who's with the community support division of the Winnipeg Police Service, said she understands there could be pushback from the public as conversations about the fractured relationship between police and Indigenous peoples continue, but argues a position such as Tuesday's could help to address some of those issues.
"(Tuesday) has the insight and the trauma-informed practices to inform and help make cultural shifts and look at how we could be doing something better," said Emerson.
Tuesday, for her part, said she wants to continue to keep families at the forefront in her new role -- and part of that will be bridging the gap between the police service and community.
"If I can do that in some small way, then that's my goal here," she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 1, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.