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Colten Boushie family supporters raise issue of justice

Apr 7, 2017 | 10:00 AM

Amid the sound of the beating of drums, voices chanting “Justice for Colten,” and the rhythm of the powwow dance, friends and family, and First Nation leaders joined forces for a rally Thursday morning outside the Provincial Court building in North Battleford to show their support for Colten Boushie’s family.

The event was held on the third and final day of the preliminary inquiry taking place in the courtroom in the case involving the killing of Boushie.  

Gerald Stanley, 55, is facing a charge of second-degree murder related to the August 9, 2016, incident on Stanley’s farmyard, near Biggar. Boushie, a 22-year-old Red Pheasant First Nation man, was killed in the incident. The preliminary hearing was held this week to determine if there was enough evidence to proceed to trial. Evidence presented at the hearing had been under a publication ban.

During Thursday’s rally, several First Nation leaders spoke about the need for justice and respect for Indigenous people in the legal system and in the community.

The Boushie family had said it had concerns with the RCMP’s treatment of the family from the beginning of the case. They also had concerns about heightened police presence during the preliminary hearing.

During the rally, Colten Boushie’s brother Jace said he appreciates everyone’s gesture in participating in the event.

“Thanks to all the people and leadership that are here today to show support, for this kind of tragedy, for my little brother,” Jace said. 

“Community members are willing to stand by you. It gives me strength. I can feed off of that. We are not standing here alone, like we thought we were,” said Jace.

“A lot of people are loving and caring, and it’s really appreciated from our family, our friends and the people who know us,” added Jace. “My little brother Colten Boushie was a really young, loving, good, kind, guy. He always had a smile on his face.” 

During the rally, Debbie Baptiste, Colten’s mother, appeared tearful as she stood beside Colten’s cousin Jade Tootoosis, who spoke about the need for justice in the legal system. 

Red Pheasant First Nation Chief Clint Wuttunee expressed how upset he is by racist comments he has seen on social media related to the Boushie case.

“I follow some of the threads on Facebook, and it’s really disturbing,” he said. ”I think something needs to be done about it.”

“It’s always been around. Every individual experiences racism in their own way — some more extreme than others,” the chief added.

“We try to build those bridges and deal with our neighbours. There are some good people out there in rural Saskatchewan, and there are always the bad apples too.”

The First Nation leader said he is aware the local RCMP want to meet with Red Pheasant chief and council, surrounding First Nation communities, as well as the non-native communities to “maybe make a plan of how to be more effective out there in rural Saskatchewan.” 

“We need to begin that dialogue… and start to understand each other a little better,” Wuttunee said.

Later on Thursday, April 6, the judge at the preliminary inquiry announced there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial into the fatal shooting of Colten Boushie, which is expected to begin in the fall of 2017.

The allegations in the case have not been proven in court.

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

 

 

Editor’s Note: Commenting on this story is closed now that the matter is before the courts.