The Copernic Affair | Canadaland Investigates: Episode Summary - "Pretending in Prison"

Release Date: May 21, 2024
Host/Author: Canadaland
Title: Pretending in Prison

Introduction: Indigenous Overrepresentation in Canadian Prisons

The episode "Pretending in Prison" delves into a critical and often overlooked issue within the Canadian justice system: the alarming overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in federal prisons. Highlighting recent headlines, the hosts Robert Jago and Angel Ellis set the stage by underscoring that one third of Canada's prisoners are Indigenous. As Jago reads from The Guardian and CBC reports, in some prisons, Indigenous inmates make up as much as 50% of the population (00:01), a statistic that underscores systemic racial disparities.

Incentives for Indigenous Identity in Prisons

The Canadian government has implemented various programs aimed at addressing the high incarceration rates among Indigenous populations. These initiatives include:

• Cultural Programs: Hiring Indigenous elders to coach inmates, introducing traditional foods, and conducting spiritual rites.
• Separate Units: Establishing Indigenous-specific sections within prisons, such as lodges or the Pathways program, which offer private rooms and enhanced visitation rights.
• Rehabilitation Focus: Emphasizing rehabilitation through culturally sensitive programs designed to break the cycle of institutional racism (04:23).

However, these well-intentioned programs have inadvertently created incentives for non-Indigenous inmates to falsely claim Indigenous identity—a phenomenon the hosts refer to as "Pretendians."

The Emergence of "Pretendians" in Prisons

The term "Pretendians" describes non-Indigenous individuals who adopt Indigenous identities to exploit the benefits of these specialized programs. The episode introduces Casper Ouimet, a former Hells Angels member from Quebec, as a primary case study.

Case Study: Casper Ouimet

Casper Ouimet, a significant figure in the Hells Angels biker gang, was deeply involved in Quebec's violent biker wars during the 1990s—a conflict that resulted in over 160 deaths. Arrested in 2010, Ouimet faced numerous charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, for which he eventually pleaded guilty and received a 15-year sentence (06:02).

Upon entering prison, Ouimet declared himself Indigenous during the intake process. This declaration granted him access to the Indigenous wing of the prison, allowing him to participate in cultural activities, such as cooking bannock and holding traditional ceremonies (07:06). Isabelle Hachet of La Presse discovered that Ouimet's Indigenous claims were superficial at best, tracing his Indigenous ancestry back 13 generations to the era of Nouvelle France—a clear indicator of his non-Indigenous heritage (08:39).

Angel Ellis humorously questions the motive behind Ouimet's claim, suggesting multiple possibilities: a genuine spiritual awakening, a strategic move to gain favor for early release, or even a delusional belief in transformative cultural practices (10:33, 11:55).

Impact on Genuine Indigenous Inmates

The presence of Pretendians like Ouimet has profound negative effects on genuine Indigenous inmates. The episode features Norman LaRue, a member of the Tkamloops First Nation serving a life sentence for first-degree murder. LaRue recounts how prison staff allegedly encouraged non-Indigenous inmates to claim Indigenous identity to meet quotas and access benefits meant for Indigenous prisoners (14:20).

Conflict and Intimidation

Real Indigenous inmates often find themselves at odds with Pretendians, leading to tensions and violence. LaRue describes incidents where guards side with Pretendians, dismissing genuine claims and embroiling real Indigenous inmates in conflicts. This environment perpetuates stereotypes and undermines the integrity of Indigenous programs (15:31).

Case of Norman LaRue

Norman LaRue's experience exemplifies the severe repercussions faced by genuine Indigenous inmates. After painting a mural commemorating the discovery of hundreds of Indigenous children's remains at a former residential school—a deeply traumatic revelation—LaRue faced intense hostility from guards and Pretendians alike. His complaints about mistreatment led to his forced transfer to a high-security prison, where he was ultimately stabbed multiple times, resulting in permanent facial paralysis (19:09, 23:35).

Systemic Failures in Verification

A critical issue highlighted in the episode is the lack of verification for Indigenous status within the Canadian prison system. When inmates declare themselves Indigenous, authorities do not require proof, such as a tribal enrollment number or official documentation. This open-ended identification allows both inmates and even Correctional Service Canada staff to falsely claim Indigenous identity without consequence (26:04).

Isabelle Hachet's investigation reveals that even prison staff members have been falsely claiming Indigenous status to secure reserved posts and benefits, further exacerbating the problem (16:14). The absence of stringent verification measures means that the system is vulnerable to abuse, undermining genuine efforts to support Indigenous rehabilitation.

Broader Implications: Stereotypes and Public Perception

The episode discusses how the rise of Pretendians inflates statistics showing a disproportionate number of Indigenous inmates. With Indigenous representation in prisons skyrocketing, the public may develop skewed perceptions, viewing Indigenous peoples as predominantly criminal. The hosts argue that these statistics misrepresent reality, as they do not account for the systemic manipulation through fraudulent claims (28:25).

Robert Jago poignantly states, “They should say half the people in prison identify as wanting access to nicer beds, better meals, access to sweat lodges, and your own private room.” This reframing emphasizes that the inflated numbers are a direct result of exploitation by Pretendians seeking to benefit from Indigenous programs rather than reflecting genuine Indigenous overrepresentation (29:22).

Consequences for Systemic Reform

The systemic issue of Pretendians undermines the very programs designed to aid Indigenous rehabilitation. By allowing fraudulent claims, the prison system:

• Dilutes Support: Resources intended for genuine Indigenous inmates are siphoned away, reducing the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts.
• Fuels Stereotypes: Misleading statistics reinforce harmful stereotypes about Indigenous peoples, complicating broader societal efforts to address racial disparities.
• Breeds Distrust: Genuine Indigenous inmates lose trust in the system, fearing misidentification and subsequent retribution, as evidenced by LaRue’s ordeal (30:23, 31:31).

Conclusion: The Need for Genuine Solutions

"Pretending in Prison" concludes by emphasizing that systemic abuse and lack of verification in Indigenous programs not only harm real Indigenous inmates but also perpetuate damaging societal stereotypes. The episode calls for reforms in the verification process to ensure that benefits are accessible only to those who are truly Indigenous, thereby preserving the integrity of rehabilitation efforts and combating systemic racism.

Angel Ellis succinctly captures the essence of the episode: “If you don't listen to native people and if you don't center our governments and our communities, when you define our identity and you come up with solutions, then you end up making the problem worse.”

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Robert Jago [00:42]: "Today's show is about a white guy from the Hells Angels biker gang who found his spirit animal in lockup. He's just one of many Pretendians in prison."

• Isabelle Hachet [05:34]: "Everybody who wants to get some benefits, most of them want to be granted early parole."

• Angel Ellis [07:06]: "Holy shit. I mean, is this Canada at all? Like that is? That is not the concept that I have of Canada."

• Norman LaRue [14:57]: "Staff are telling inmates coming through to state that they identify as Aboriginal or they live the Aboriginal lifestyle so that they can get in there and so that they can put them there."

• Robert Jago [25:42]: "If he fell into crime, it must have been because of his feeling of injustice in the face of mistreatment of his ancestors by the Canadian authority."

• Angel Ellis [28:50]: "They think that natives are terrifying and that they're all criminals and that they shouldn't be trusted and that, oh Lord, I don't want them in my neighborhood."

Final Thoughts

"Pretending in Prison" is a compelling exploration of how systemic vulnerabilities within the Canadian prison system allow for the exploitation of Indigenous identity, leading to significant harm for genuine Indigenous inmates and perpetuating societal stereotypes. The episode calls for urgent reforms to ensure that Indigenous support programs serve their intended purpose without being undermined by fraudulent claims.