Sounding the alarm about racism
Shooting brings long-standing issues to surface, Sask. chiefs told
Racism has reared its head in Saskatchewan and it can’t be swept under the rug so easily, say First Nations people across the province.
Andre Bear, co-chair of the Assembly of First Nations Youth Council and the youth representative for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), urged the chiefs during a Monday assembly in Regina to look out for the well-being of the youth in their communities.
Although racism has always been there, the Aug. 9 shooting death of Colten Boushie from the Red Pheasant First Nation has fanned the flames of a long-simmering issue between indigenous and non-indigenous people in the area, he said.
From personal experience, he said, it’s not easy being a young First Nations male in this province.
“It’s always a hostile environment when we are walking in our own lands,” he said.
Last Friday, Gerald Stanley, the Biggar-area farmer accused of second-degree murder in Boushie’s death, was released on $10,000 bail.
Bear said the release of Stanley has sent the wrong message to First Nations in the area. Since then, there has been a strong police presence in North Battleford, particularly in and around Red Pheasant.
“The real problem here is the extreme racism and the dehumanization of First Nation young people,” he said, referring to some of the hateful comments that surfaced online and elsewhere following the shooting.
Bear believes the racism is systemic and that is reflected in how the government treats First Nations people and that attitude trickles down into the rest of society and the only way things will change is when racism is recognized in this province and in this country.
Jim Reiter, provincial minister responsible of government relations and the minister responsible for First Nation and Metis relations, said he supported Premier Brad Wall's stance that “There is no room for racism in Saskatchewan.”
Sweetgrass First Nation Chief Lorie Whitecalf said words are just words and she would like to see action from the government.
She said the attitude toward First Nations people has not changed in 150 years and wanted to know what the province was going to do about it.
Reiter said partnerships and working together can be positive ways to help combat racism.
Red Pheasant Chief Clint Wuttunee said the past two weeks have been difficult for his community and everyone is still hurt.
He said it's unfortunate that things have played out the way they have and all he can do now is do what he can to help his community heal and move forward.
Wuttunee confirmed there was an increased police presence on his First Nation and called it disheartening because it sends out the wrong message.
He said it is time to trust in the in judicial system and let it run its due course in the matter.
Over the weekend, the community hosted a horse-dance ceremony to help everyone on their healing journey.
FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said he is aware of the concerns from the community and has voiced his concerns with the RCMP.
“We have always known racism was there,” he said. “It's just that now with this incident, it's been really exposed. Now people's true colours are coming out. We at the FSIN, have been having ongoing meetings and discussions to really emphasize that legislation be put into place where it identifies strict, harsh penalties for hate crimes whether it's through social media or what happened in the North Battleford area that has to happen.”
He believes serious changes need to happen nationally, provincially and locally, and those changes need to include the RCMP.