On Thursday, January 16, 2003 the Commission on First Nations and Métis Peoples and Justice Reform held a roundtable on racism at Wanuskewin Heritage Park. In attendance were the Commissioners and staff plus invited guests from a wide range of service and government organizations. An open discussion was held throughout the day.

The roundtable was divided into two parts. The morning session dealt with questions on "What is racism, and why is there racism?" and the afternoon was spent discussing solutions to racism.

Commission Chair, Willie Littlechild introduced the difficulties in defining racism by recounting problems with the term "racism" itself. He stated that there is no word for racism in Cree. That is, there is a continuum of attitudes and behaviours from bias to hate crime. Willie Littlechild also stated that the Commission believes racism is at the heart of the criminal justice problem in Saskatchewan, the reasoning being that the system has been evaluated repeatedly, and that nothing has changed.

There were a variety of definitions given for racism including "an attitude or bias held by individuals, institutions or organizations based on perception of racial or cultural differences".

Other ideas about racism included the statement it is often subtle, and that it is intergenerational. That is, it is passed from generation to generation, often unintentionally. For example, an Elder at the roundtable noted that some of the nicest people that she knows have racist inclinations. She feels that racism towards Aboriginal people can often come from ignorance about one’s own cultural roots, and that when one has little knowledge or appreciation for their own culture, ancestry or history, it is difficult to appreciate other people’s beliefs. This kind of misunderstanding can lead to a spectrum of beliefs and behaviours about other people. Racism can be plain ignorance, fear, pride, lack of respect and understanding.

Although many definitions for the term racism were offered it was hard to be conclusive as racism takes on so many forms and is used to explain everything from discrimination to xenophobia to stereotyping and ignorance generally. Racism can be overt or covert. Its silent form can take over institutional practice and policy development because the beliefs upon which it is based are not openly discussed, and the assumptions are pervasive. It can come from individuals or from institutions. Racism is universal and must be cured from a small scale onto the larger one. It is found in sports, recreation, employment, grocery stores, churches, police departments and other judicial and government institutions.

It is the negative aspect of relationships and it was felt that it is so often either accepted or ignored and therefore it cannot be dealt with. People react strongly to the term and it closes down discussions and conversations to the point where we cannot work around it any longer. It comes from hate or from the best intentions to "help". It is based on a lack of respect and ignorance and possibly fear. It comes from no common ground and little or no education on the history of the race that is oppressed.

Participants identified education and interaction as the main methods for overcoming racism. Such education could include cross-cultural and race relations training and workshops, particularly in those places where there are Aboriginal clients and employees.

There was some debate about the effectiveness of employment equity. Many feel that increasing the number of employees in the criminal justice system makes it more representative of Aboriginal people, whether Aboriginal representation is increased in entry or front line positions, or in professional and management positions. Aboriginal participants stated that there are problems with this, particularly where they are seen as a representative of a broader population. Other participants noted there is a lot of resistance in the workplace to employment equity because many non-Aboriginal people feel that Aboriginal people who fill such positions are under-qualified. Others stated there is often resentment amongst existing employees with more seniority who feel that they lose out on particular positions due to employment equity.

Education leads to understanding. Understanding leads to respect. Respect for the differences and strength from our commonalties will stop racism. Complacency about racism allows it to continue – if you have never experienced it you will not know the impact it has on every aspect of your life. Challenging your own perceptions is the place to start, as an individual or as an institution.

The Commission also circulated an article that it released to the media entitled "Racism in Saskatchewan". The article was published in The StarPhoenix in Saskatoon on Friday, January 17, 2003 and the headline read "Time to find solutions to racism in justice system" and can be found at the end of this summary.

• "Heroic racism" is a "vain attempt to shore up a weak self-image at the expense of others". This would likely include incidents of overt racism.
• "Systemic racism" is racism that exists in institutions that are "accused of targeting one race or culture for harmful consequences."
• The third form of racism that the article speaks to is the failure of people to speak out against racism when they witness it.

The article further states that these three forms of racism contribute to the high rate of offending, victimization and incarceration among the Aboriginal populations in Saskatchewan, and puts forward several solutions including education, cross-cultural and race relations training. Finally, the article appeals to the Saskatchewan public to share ideas about racism and how to deal with racism in the justice system.

Throughout our travels as a Commission we hear a consistent message from Aboriginal people: racism is alive and well in Saskatchewan and it infects the justice system.

Racism is said to be a complex issue, but for me it boils down to the powerful and evil belief that one race is inferior to another, that certain people are not entitled to even their most basic rights. When that belief is acted upon, cruelty and other forms of negative and destructive behavior result.

Where does that belief come from? And why do acts of racism flourish in communities and organizations that condemn it? More important, what can we do about this evil?

I suspect part of the problem is people do not recognize racism is when they see it. How do you distinguish racism from rude and obnoxious behavior? What about petty and vindictive behavior? And even if you can tell racism from other forms of prejudice or destructive behavior, what do you do as an individual or as a community?

It has been suggested to me there are three types of racism. The first tries to be "heroic" but is merely a vain attempt to shore up a weak self-image at the expense of someone else. Sometimes heroic racism is motivated by the desire to avenge some real or imagined wrong that has been committed.

The second is "systemic" racism. Here many institutions are often accused of targeting one race or culture for negative or harmful consequences. Racial profiling comes to mind and so does the streaming of children in the education system for second or third class treatment.

The third is so "ordinary" it almost always escapes everyone’s attention. It is evil when decent men and women of Saskatchewan remain silent when obvious racist comments or attacks are being made. By staying silent these decent people become the unwilling yet greatest ally of the bigot. Their silence empowers the racist.

How does this relate to the justice system? It seems logical to me that these three types of racism might contribute to the high rates of incarceration of Aboriginal people. Individually or in concert, each of these types of racism could also contribute to high rates of offending and victimization.

We are still left with the question of what to do.

Education is often cited as the key to combating racism. If only we could educate those who are misinformed, perhaps train them in more effective and compassionate forms of behavior, then racism will be eradicated from the face of this beautiful province. I believe there is some truth in this belief, but is it enough?

In the last twenty or thirty years we have seen governments, businesses and communities take up the challenge to launch cross cultural or race relations training programs. The groups and the individuals leading these efforts are to be applauded for their courage and vision. I have no doubt some hearts and minds have been changed as a result of their good work. But is this enough?

Some leaders, officials and activists express concern that more should be done, that this good work is running up against subtle, yet stiff resistance.

As the Chair for this Commission I am issuing a formal plea to you the citizens of this province to share with us your ideas on how this critical issue in the justice system can be improved.

The week of January 13, 2003, marks the beginning of a dialogue on this troubling issue. We have invited a few organizations to share with us their ideas and programs, and we also invite you to participate.

Willie Littlechild,
Chair of the Commission on First Nations and Métis Peoples and Justice Reform