‘Continually targeted’: Indigenous Winnipeggers share experiences of harassment by security

Some Indigenous leaders and community members say a shocking video of a security guard punching, kicking and threatening a man in a downtown Winnipeg Dollarama store is just another example of how Indigenous people are “continually targeted” while shopping in the city.

The video, which was posted to Facebook on Saturday afternoon and circulated online over the weekend, shows a guard straddling a man lying on the floor, while punching him and threatening to kill him. 

At one point it appears that the guard uses a metal object to strike the man. Later on, the guard stands up and slams the man down against the floor, before kicking him.

Throughout the video, the man’s jacket is pulled up over his head, covering his face as he tries to block the guard’s blows with his arms. 

WATCH | Man in security uniform punches person in the head, swears at him:

Security guard at Dollarama punches man

A video shows a Winnipeg Dollarama security guard punching and kicking a man on the ground. Impact Security says they will investigate the employee, who’s been removed from duty. The man who was punched faces charges of robbery and uttering threats. Warning: This video includes violence and profanity.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Southern Chiefs’ Organization both say the man is Indigenous. Both groups have called for the guard to be investigated.

AMC Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said Saturday’s altercation caught on video is not an isolated incident. She said many Indigenous people in Winnipeg have had a range of negative experiences with security — from increased surveillance to alleged assault. 

“This is a reality for First Nations people, for Indigenous people. Whenever we go into any establishment we are continually targeted, monitored,” said Wilson, adding she has personally been followed by security while shopping. 

Several people shared their own experiences being trailed and searched by security at a rally outside the Dollarama near Portage Avenue and Donald Street on Monday afternoon. 

Vivian Ketchum told CBC News she has been followed, searched and accused of stealing on several occasions while shopping in the city.

“Every day, every week, Indigenous women, men are getting searched, beaten,” she said. 

At one point during the rally, Ketchum took the microphone and asked people standing in the crowd if they had been followed by security. Some raised their hands and cheered.

Ketchum said she was “beyond angry” after seeing the video circulating online, and wondered what could have happened to the man on the ground had bystanders not pulled out their phones.

“How many of these go unrecorded?” she said. 

Eve Courchene, who previously worked in the security field, says the video circulating social media left her feeling ‘horrified’ and worried for her loved ones. (Prabhjot Singh Lotey/CBC)

Eve Courchene, a former security worker who was at the rally on Monday, said guards are taught to talk through stressful and potentially dangerous situations.

“When I was working security, I was taught de-escalation, use your words, talk,” she said. 

“When you go into a business, you want to feel safe. You’re shopping and security is there to protect,” she said, adding she has personally been followed by security — even while wearing her work uniform.

Rallygoers called for Impact Security Group, the company employing the guard in the video, to fire him and launch a third-party investigation of the incident. Other calls to action included increased non-violent intervention and de-escalation training and anti-racism education. 

They also want to see a full police investigation.

Impact told CBC News in a statement that the guard has been removed from active duty and “further action … will be decided after our investigation and consultation with his union.”

The incident happened at the downtown Dollarama store on Portage Avenue, near Donald Street, on Saturday afternoon. (Kevin Nepitabo/CBC)

A Dollarama spokesperson said the company does not authorize the use of force in any situation and that Impact has been put on notice. 

In a news release on Monday, Winnipeg police said the major crimes unit is investigating the guard’s actions shown in the video after officials learned it was circulating online. 

Police said a 46-year-old man had allegedly tried to steal $95 worth of items, when the 23-year-old security intervened and an altercation ensued around 1 p.m. on Saturday. 

The 46-year-old man was arrested and charged with robbery and uttering threats, police said.

Sheila North, an advocate who serves as the Indigenous advisor to Winnipeg police, said the video was “disturbing” to watch. 

Sheila North, an advocate who serves as the Indigenous advisor to Winnipeg police, says security companies should increase training while hiring more Indigenous people to work with them. (Trevor Brine/CBC)

“It was shocking to see the level of violence being done against this man on the ground,” she said. 

She said security agencies should use this incident as an opportunity to increase cultural awareness training for staff that interact with members of Indigenous communities. 

“As an Indigenous person living in the city, it’s not unusual to be followed around all the time in any of the stores,” she said, adding she’s experienced it herself. 

“It’s hard to feel comfortable in any shopping situation because of the attitudes sometimes that security guards have,” North said. 

But she says education and greater representation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in security could go a long way to reduce the chances of similar incidents happening in the future. 

“More effort needs to be made to include the Indigenous community in the security world,” North said.

WATCH | Winnipeg police investigate after altercation involving security guard:

Winnipeg police investigate after altercation involving security guard

Protesters rally outside a Dollarama in downtown Winnipeg after a video circulating on social media showed a security guard kicking a man at the store. Impact Security, the firm employing the guard, say he has been removed from active duty while they investigate.