RETROSPECTVE
Some people in society don't necessarily relate to each other too well, and the stratification is sometimes found between authorities and street people for instance, and between police and drunks. People like Kat Norris are working toward a just society and toward improving the fundamental street-level encounters in a stratified society like the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver because of this crucial communications gap.
A main incentive for Kat Norris is to honour the memory of her friend, Frank Paul, the Mi'kmaq from New Brunswick who died in 1998 at age 47. His death became extremely public after what appeared to be an apparent form of negligent homicide, when Frank, yet again, encountered, encumbered, and, finally, exasperated officers of the Vancouver Police Department.
At least two VPD police officers were exhausted by Frank's repeated surrender to internal torment, and two in particular left him by the wayside to die in a winter night in a downtown alley. In that alley Frank must have suffered spasms grief from this final act of neglect. The two police officers involved received two-day suspensions in 2000 but the story would not cease to make people angry.
It did not end there because Kat Norris, a Vancouver citizen, a Salish member, an activist for justice, promised herself to honour Frank's memory, and with other members of the Indigenous Action Network in Vancouver, B.C., to work for social change.
She did so partly because Frank died a wrongful death, and especially after watching the shocking video of him in custody, because the Mi’kmaq died shortly thereafter, which video showed why after it was released to the family (and subsequently the public) in 2003.
From that moment to now the public has heard a need expressed, “to provide Mr. Paul’s family and the public with a complete record of the circumstances relating to Mr. Paul’s death,” (according to the terms of reference for the Frank Paul Inquiry). On May 31 08 the inquiry will, “recommend changes considered necessary to the rules, policies and procedures,” for dealing with badly and habitually intoxicated individuals.
An inquiry came about because a newly constituted Police Complaints Commissioner (2004) saw things the same way as Frank’s family and friends. Peggy Clement (Frank's cousin) and other relations and friends call it the Frank Paul Support for Justice.
In the aftermath of Mr. Paul’s demise, the society in the Lower Mainland is examining, “the rules, policies and procedures of the Vancouver police board and of the Vancouver police department respecting police interaction with persons who are incapacitated by alcohol or drug use.”
People in the city work together with the help and encouragement of the Indigenous Action Movement and Kat Norris, and it were these people who were instrumental in putting Frank's case before a public inquiry.
They continue working on public awareness, for example, holding a Frank Paul Rally on May 8 08, at 5 P.M., at the Vancouver Detox, including a march to the Vancouver Police Department, “soup and frybread to follow.”
The inquiry came to be on Feb 22 07 when the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced a public inquiry into the Frank Paul case. On Mar 9 07, Hon. Stockwell Day announced William Davies would act as commissioner. On Aug 10 07 the B.C. Attorney General released the terms of reference. Hearings began in Nov 07.
His Honour William H. Davies, Q.C. (former B.C. Supreme Court Justice), is the 'sole Commissioner,' "appointed under the Public Inquiry Act." The terms of reference for the Frank Paul Inquiry called for hearings, “in or near the City of Vancouver, into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Paul.”
The commissioner would gather facts surrounding various responding agencies or departments. The Frank Paul Inquiry itself that began hearings in November 2007 is nearing completion, entering Phase Four of the hearings: Apr 28 - May 8, and Closing Arguments: May 9-16, 2008.
"We are in full support of this man in death," said Kat. "It doesn't matter if he was an alcoholic," or whatever other personal issues he had.
The inquiry will examine related services, “respecting the interaction of staff of the British Columbia Ambulance Service with persons who are incapacitated by alcohol or drug use,” and the inquiry is undertaking to, “identify the health care and social service programs and facilities available in the City of Vancouver.”
Frank Paul lived in a reality that included the atypical legacy handed to Indians of reservation life, the Indian Act, residential school, and false promises of ephemeral dollars for education, health, and basics like housing.
"He was searching," said Kat, "went to 'sweats' and tried to live," within the confines of his 'character defects' but Frank wasn't a complete wretch, even by the usual standards (whatever those are), because others have paid homage to his dignity. (Perhaps Frank had other problems, undiagnosed Parkinson's or Lou Gehrig's, or something else.)
When a video surfaced in 2003 it was sent to his family as part of his police file, and this video was, “released to counsel acting for Mr. Paul’s family,” showing, “portions of the police jail surveillance video depicting Mr. Paul’s arrival and departure at the Vancouver Police jail on December 5, 1998.”
Frank's last movements in the custody of VPD were pathetic and a louder call for justice was issued by the family. It was obvious he was incapacitated beyond comprehension, crawling and mumbling, intoxicated probably on the potent but physically damaging rice wine. He needed a hospital bed for a few hours of observation.
Frank provided a foundation for public awareness of the issues of substance abuse, public intoxication, race, and poverty issues in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. He put a face on suffering, and his vulnerability went on display. Frank has been martyred in a way, and his inquiry and his demise, "shows people there is a place to vent, to talk about the hurt of our people," said Kat.
Each year on the anniversary of his death, Dec. 5, they gather downtown for a candlelight vigil. A rally point is required because people lack these centres in the midst of their homelessness and despair.
"In essence we get this done to catch people when they are down. Our basic message to society is that if you feel good about yourself," and do things for others, "you will have no reason to look down on others." (www.frankpaulinquiry.ca has details and www.indigenousaction.ca offers 24 hr updates (604) 682-3269 Ext 7718. Kat is on-air Monday mornings 10 A.M.11 A.M. www.cjsf.com to "You're On Coast Salish Territory"
