First Nations leaders have long demanded ’embedded Indigenous representation within SiRT’Author of the article: John Chilibeck • Local Journalism Initiative reporterPublished Jul 26, 2026 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 3 minute readChantel Moore, 26, was shot and killed by a member of the Edmundston Police Force during a wellness check on June 4, 2020. The investigation into her death was carried out by a Quebec-based police watchdog, displeasing First Nations leaders. BRUNSWICK NEWS ARCHIVESThe independent team that investigates police violence is going to hire an Indigenous person, a longstanding demand of First Nations leaders in New Brunswick who are upset about the fatal shootings of four of their members in recent years.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERSSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the e-Edition, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalism and the next generation of journalists.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the e-Edition, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalism and the next generation of journalists.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to keep reading.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite journalists.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsArticle contentSix years after Chantel Moore, a young Indigenous mother from British Columbia, was shot to death by a police officer in Edmundston, the Serious Incident Response Team has posted an ad to hire for a new position, an Indigenous liaison officer.We will continue to advocate for meaningful, lasting changes that foster true reconciliation in Canada’s justice system.Allan PolchiesThe chiefs who represent the six Wolastoqey communities that call the St. John River Valley home told Brunswick News it was a positive first step.“We were encouraged to see movement on this,” said Chief Allan Polchies of Sitansisk, or St. Mary’s First Nation, in a statement provided to Brunswick News on behalf of the Wolastoqey chiefs.“The Wolastoqey Nation has long advocated for embedded Indigenous representation within SiRT. More work is needed and we will continue to advocate for meaningful, lasting changes that foster true reconciliation in Canada’s justice system.”The Holt Liberal government, which has been trying to improve relations with Indigenous leaders who battled with the Higgs Progressive Conservative government over several issues, increased funding in its spring budget to the response team, better known by the acronym SiRT, making the hiring possible.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Article contentArticle content Erin Nauss is the civilian director of the Serious Incident Response Team, a police oversight agency that’s responsible for conducting investigations into incidents that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault, intimate partner violence or any matter of public interest that may have resulted from the actions of a police officer, on or off duty. SUBMITTED“This is important for public confidence and trust in the police and independent civilian oversight,” said Erin Nauss, the civilian director of the response team, in an interview.“We’re aware that there’s a history of mistrust, and we’re taking action to address this. So, we think it’s a positive step moving forward to foster relationships and increase the confidence in the investigations we do of police.”First Nations leaders have decried that the investigations are routinely conducted by ex-cops who are not Indigenous.Moore was one of four Indigenous people killed by police in New Brunswick over the last six years. She was shot and killed on June 4, 2020, by an officer with the Edmundston Police Force during a wellness check.A little over a week later, Rodney Levi, a Mi’kmaq man, was shot and killed on June 12, 2020, near Metepenagiag First Nation after RCMP responded to a complaint.Steven “Iggy” Dedam was shot and killed by RCMP in September 2024 in Elsipogtog First Nation during a wellness check.Article contentMore recently, the Mounties fatally shot Bronson Paul in January 2026 in Neqotkuk First Nation following a call for service.No police officers were criminally charged in any of the cases.We’re aware that there’s a history of mistrust, and we’re taking action to address this.Erin NaussThe job posting for SiRT’s Fredericton office closes July 28. An advertisement for the position states that it was created through an order-in-council (a provincial cabinet decision) for a five-year term.The pay is $3,929.22 to $4,911.52 bi-weekly, which at the upper end, works out to close to $127,700 a year.To be considered for the job, candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree and minimum five years of law enforcement investigative experience. The want ad says preference will be shown to candidates with a knowledge of and a connection to the Indigenous cultures of New Brunswick First Nation communities.“It’s a designated position and their main roles will be to engage with Indigenous communities, foster strong relationships and co-ordinate a community liaison program,” said Nauss, who runs SiRT’s main office out of Dartmouth, N.S.Article content“They will be able to conduct or assist with criminal investigations, mainly impacting Indigenous people and communities, but depending on need, they may be able to assist with other files, if they have capacity.”The director said she had already received a number of applications but didn’t want to divulge too much. Following background checks and interviews, Nauss hopes the new person will start the job sometime in the fall.“The New Brunswick government recognizes we’ve been advocating for this type of position for a while,” she said. “They recognized the importance of this role, and we feel it’s really important that people get to know who SiRT is, and that our team understands the communities we’re working in.”Nauss added that Nova Scotia plans on adding a position soon that could represent Indigenous, Black and other visible minorities.The Nova Scotia and New Brunswick governments provide SiRT’s funding.The Holt government budget increased by about $1.15 million over the $556,015 that was budgeted when SiRT started operations in New Brunswick in 2023. The total SiRT budget for 2026-27 is $3,057,000. Nova Scotia’s portion is $1,663,000.– with files from Barbara Simpson Article content
Anger over police shootings leads to hiring of Indigenous investigator
