‘Disheartening’: Former FSIN vice chief says court delays prevent justice for victims

Former Third Vice Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Aly Bear, is expressing deep frustration with the court system, stating victims are left waiting for justice.

Bear said she has battled court delays since pressing assault and mischief charges against her ex-partner Mario Ahenakew last spring.

Ahenakew pleaded guilty and was sentenced Tuesday at Saskatoon Provincial Court to 18 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay hundreds in fines and victim surcharges.

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Bear said Ahenakew was expected to enter guilty pleas to the charges on May 26 and to be sentenced that same day.

She said it was “very disheartening” when she was told the case would be adjourned, as she already had a victim impact statement prepared.

“It takes a lot to build up mentally, spiritually, emotionally to face somebody who has abused you and you haven’t seen in a very long time (and) to hold them accountable for their actions,” she said outside of the courthouse last month.

Bear is calling on the court system to limit the number of adjournments to ensure that victims receive timely justice, adding that she has stood with families who have experienced similar delays.

“It’s very hard for women to come forward to the law enforcement (and) to the court systems,” she said. Bear hopes women facing similar experiences are brave enough to come forward.

“We need to continue to address this because we have a domestic violence problem in this province (and) have a domestic violence problem in this country,” she said.

“We need to continue to stand tall so we can stop this from happening to our daughters and our children and future generations.”