Reflection from the Safer For All Documentary Premiere
The following reflection is from the John Humphrey Centre’s Executive Director Renée Vaugeois, delivered as part of the debut screening of the Safer for All documentary, which took place on March 16 2024 in Edmonton.
This date marks the solemn occasion of the second anniversary of a tragic event that deeply impacted the Edmonton Police Service: In 2022, officers Travis Jordan and Brett Ryan lost their lives in the line of duty while responding to a mental health call. They were shot by a 16-year-old young man who also took the life of his mother.
This heartbreaking incident sheds light on the profound challenges we face concerning mental health within our communities. We are in a mental health crisis, with issues such as the opioid epidemic serving as symptoms of a larger problem. This crisis touches us all, not only the individuals directly involved in tragic events like the one two years ago, but also our first responders, who confront trauma daily. It's imperative to ask whether they receive the support necessary to process and cope with the emotional toll of their work.
We recognize that viewing this film may evoke pain and distress for many. Some visuals and images may be challenging to process.
Our police officers stand on the frontline, bearing witness to what many of us cannot comprehend. Yet, they operate within a justice system shaped by particular ideologies and identities. It's essential to acknowledge the deliberate legislative actions that have influenced Canada's history, including policies rooted in genocide, othering, and exclusion.
One only needs to read the original Indian Act and see if you can negotiate in your heart and mind that that document was not an intentional effort to “kill the Indian” and as Emily Murphy wrote in the 1920s, the first female Magistrate court judge in Canada, about the intended effects of sterilization:
One hardly knows whether to take the Indian as a problem, a nuisance, or a possibility.… Regarding his future we may give ourselves little uneasiness. This question is solving itself. A few years hence there will be no Indians. They will exist for posterity only in waxwork figures and in a few scant pages of history. ( MMIWG Report, vol 1a, p 266).
As we prepare to watch this film, let's ground ourselves in the understanding that regardless of who we are, we are products of our circumstances. Whether we are born into conditions of survival or thriving shapes our perspectives and experiences.
We want to extend gratitude to Michael Janz for his efforts in bringing us together on this important issue. I also want to thank Lost Time Media for documenting the journey of concerned citizens advocating for change.
This film may be challenging, especially considering the recent loss of Officers Jordan and Ryan. However, it's crucial to recognize that the issues depicted are not unique to Edmonton but reflect broader challenges across Canada. We must strive for a system of accountability wherever law enforcement exists.
In conclusion, we must reflect on the necessity of investing our time and resources into addressing these pressing issues. We cannot afford to perpetuate systems that cause harm, especially as economic pressures tighten. Building relationships and networks is key to advancing this work.
On May 15th, we will host a conference to further discuss these issues and chart a path forward. We invite individuals from all backgrounds to join us in this endeavour. Thank you once again for your presence and commitment to creating a safer, more just society for all.