By Sarah Rae

Community comes together to remember Colten Boushie

Sep 2, 2016 | 6:33 AM

Family, friends and supporters of Colten Boushie came together Thursday night for a candlelight vigil, to honour and remember him.

His cousin Jade Tootoosis said she was overwhelmed by all of the people who came to support the family.

“I feel warmer because some days can get really difficult, and it feels harsh and cold at times. Today, I was just surrounded by love, and by comfort and a lot of good feelings,” she said.

Roughly 100 people attended the vigil in North Battleford. There were speeches, musical performances and a moment of silence after lighting candles for Boushie.

Tootoosis said it’s important to her that Boushie’s death not invoke any more anger or violence.

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“That’s not the person that he was. I want to make sure that the love…is what’s shared and what’s spread throughout our communities,” she said.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Vice-Chief Kimberly Jonathan was at the vigil and said Boushie’s family should be commended for speaking out against any retaliation. She said there were a lot of people after Boushie’s death who were scared and angry, and they really needed to hear that call for peace from the family.

Jonathan said Saskatchewan has the opportunity to become leaders in combatting racism. She said Boushie’s death has brought racism in the province to light.

“What this did, was bring that to the surface for many people that did not know and with doing that there’s so much at stake,” she said. “We have the potential to be able to create and effect change in all systems.”

Boushie, 22, was killed three weeks ago in the Biggar area after driving onto a farm property with four friends. His friends and family said the group was looking for help with a flat tire.

Sarah Rae is battlefordsNOW’s court and crime reporter. She can be reached at Sarah.Rae@jpbg.ca or tweet her @sarahjeanrae.