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
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.