For the past two years, a group of provincial police officers have been wearing a symbolic marker on their uniforms as a way to show solidarity with colleagues suspended after being accused of assaulting Indigenous women in Val-D'Or, Que.
Indigenous witnesses have told two inquiries into their treatment that they perceive the practice as an act of "intimidation and provocation."
And yet, as Indigenous groups call for a stronger commitment from the next provincial government, the two front-runners in the Quebec election stopped short of saying they would halt the practice if they win next Monday's election.