By David P. Ball, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, IndigiNews Hereditary and elected leaders of Híɫzaqv Nation are taking the RCMP to court, saying the police force refuses to enforce the nation’s bylaws — including a law expelling drug dealers and sexual offenders from the community. The lawsuit says this had led to “an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness” on reserve that put members’ safety at risk. It further states that the case has broader implications around whether “Canada” respects Híɫzaqv jurisdiction on their own territories. K̓áwáziɫ Marilyn Slett, elected chief councillor of the Heiltsuk Tribal Council, said at a press conference Tuesday that the RCMP’s lack of action means “drug dealers and sexual offenders can act freely without fear of enforcement.” “We’re facing a critical problem,” she said. “The only

The post Híɫzaqv leaders take RCMP to court, say police discriminate against the nation’s laws appeared first on The Turtle Island News.