Canada's public safety minister says the government will be paying close attention to the independent inquiry into allegations of racism and police brutality brought forward by a First Nations chief, while another minister called the chief's account ``deeply troubling.''

"I have a voice. And I'm not scared to voice out what had happened to my wife and what had happened to me," said Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.

Allegedly apprehended by RCMP for an expired licence plate, the chief of the Athabascan Chipewyan First Nation says he was beaten and arrested.