‘We’re all hurting:’ Indigenous leaders speak on Stanley verdict

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) stood in support of Colten Boushie’s family on Friday night, calling Gerald Stanley’s not guilty verdict a “miscarriage of justice.”

Vice-Chief Kimberly Jonathan stood on the steps of the Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench crying.

She called for a government inquiry into the case, noting issues with the jury selection process leading to the dismissal of all visibly-Indigenous candidates.

“We’re all hurting,” she said. “We didn’t want more here, we wanted justice.”

After angry outbursts in the courtroom and cries of “murderer,” Jonathan called for “peace and calm” in the wake of the decision.

“We’re going to all need to come together, First Nations and non-First Nations,” she said. “Come together and make sure that this does not happen again.”

FSIN Vice Chief Kim Jonathon calls for Indigenous people to remain peaceful in wake of injustice. #stanleytrial #coltenboushie pic.twitter.com/avRXTD5eMU

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) February 10, 2018

At a later news conference with the Boushie family, FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron was visibly angry about the result.

He questioned how the shooting death of Boushie on Aug. 9, 2016, could be thought of as accidental.

“Someone can get away with saying, ‘I accidentally walked to the storage shed, I accidentally grabbed my gun out of the storage box. And then I accidentally walked back to the car. And then I accidentally raised my arm in level with the late Colten Boushie’s head, then I accidentally pulled the trigger,’” Cameron said.

“What a bunch of garbage.”

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron: "Gerald Stanley … Don't think for a second that you've gotten away with this." #StanleyTrial #ColtenBoushie pic.twitter.com/STKqqN4Ofy

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) February 10, 2018

The FSIN chief directly criticized the prosecution’s case, wondering why the lawyers asked questions about how much the group of friends had been drinking and the distances between Maymont and Red Pheasant First Nation.

“Bill Burge, the Crown prosecutor, dropped the ball,” Cameron said.

He added the entire process of the case exposed the racism in Saskatchewan and Canada when it came to Indigenous Peoples.

He also spoke to Stanley directly.

Cameron said while the 56-year-old farmer was acquitted, he would see karma one day.

“Gerald Stanley … don’t think for a second you’ve gotten away with this, because somewhere down the line you’re going to pay,” he said.

“Your children will pay or your grandchildren will pay. You’re going to pay.”

Meeting Scheduled with federal minister

Cameron noted there was promise of a meeting with federal justice minister Jody Wilson-Raybould.

He said he spoke to the Liberal cabinet member about sitting down with the Boushie family and discussing how to make “some serious positive change.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted about the decision from Los Angeles late Friday, saying “I can’t imagine the grief and sorrow the Boushie family is feeling tonight. Sending love to them from the US.”

Just spoke with @Puglaas. I can't imagine the grief and sorrow the Boushie family is feeling tonight. Sending love to them from the US.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 10, 2018

Wilson-Raybould replied to the tweet.

“I truly feel your pain and I hear all of your voices,” she wrote. “As a country we can and must do better — I am committed to working everyday to ensure justice for all Canadians.”

Thank you PM @JustinTrudeau. My thoughts are with the family of Colton Boushie tonight. I truly feel your pain and I hear all of your voices. As a country we can and must do better – I am committed to working everyday to ensure justice for all Canadians. https://t.co/HvjV0bofrQ

— Jody Wilson-Raybould (@Puglaas) February 10, 2018

‘We’re going to be carrying three spare tires’

Other Indigenous leaders attended the news conference Friday night, warning of the expanding racial divide in Saskatchewan.

Sheldon Wuttunee, former chief of the Red Pheasant First Nation, called on everyone to come together to solve their differences.

However, he said the shooting has made him and others more cautious when driving between the community and Saskatoon.

“I do not want to break down now,” he said.

“Everyone’s going to be like that. Non-First Nations coming on reserve, they’re not going to want to break down. We’re going to be carrying three spare tires now.”

Assembly of First Nations national Chief Perry Bellegarde is planning his own response for a news conference in Regina on Saturday.

Meanwhile, rallies and vigils are planned across the country in support of Boushie’s family – including in Saskatoon and Regina.