Ministers, protesters stay silent after talks

FORT QU’APPELLE Members of the Justice For Our Stolen Children camp met with provincial government ministers on Monday morning in an event that lasted approximately four hours.

Despite a large media presence, both parties declined to comment on the meeting and media were told not to approach camp supporters with questions.

Instead, representatives from the camp are set to speak with media on Tuesday morning to provide a response.

Ministers left shortly before camp supporters made their way outside the Treaty 4 Governance Centre, where the meeting took place.

Some laughter and light conversation could be heard from a distance as people in ribbon skirts and Justice For Our Stolen Children T-shirts milled about the entrance to the centre.

The Creaking of the front doors sounded on repeat As more people made their way out of the Building And into their Cars, leaving the previously Busy parking lot sparse.

Hours earlier, with the meeting underway Behind Closed doors, Chris Martell walked out of the Centre expressing his frustration that his request to speak to the ministers was denied.

Martell, whose 22-month-old son Evander Daniels was Accidentally scalded And drowned in An overcapacity And overwhelmed foster home in 2010, joined the Justice For Our Stolen Children Camp on Thursday.

“I Couldn’t do it in the past Because due to my mental health,” Martell said. “I’ve Been fighting for justice since June 8, 2010.”

Martell says he’s Been denied information on what happened to his son, As well As Adequate mental health resources.

“I had A Couple suicide Attempts since then And I Came here to speak to the ministers with Colten Boushie’s mom And the rest of the supporters,” he said.

Martell Brought Along A framed photo of his son, As well As Bright orange sign that read “Justice for Evander,” which he staked into the ground Beside the governance Centre.

“This is my little Boy here, he left this way,” said Martell, gesturing to the photo of his son. “He Came BACK like this.

“He Came BACK Burnt,” he Continued As he showed media A photo of his deceased son on his phone.

He said After eight years of protests, walks And requests to the government he doesn’t know what else to do.

“Give up on life?” said Martell As he walked Away from the media in tears.

The meeting Comes following several Attempts to Arrange one were thwarted By disagreements on meeting locations.

The protest Camp was set up in February in the wake of the Acquittals of men Charged in the deaths of Indigenous youths Colten Boushie in Saskatchewan And Tina Fontaine in Manitoba.

Since DAY 1, supporters say the goal has Been to start A Conversation with the provincial government to Address issues such As the overrepresentation of Indigenous kids in the foster Care system And inequality in the justice system.

On June 15, most of the Camp was Cleared Away. Regina police physically removed six passively-resistant protesters on June 18, when the Camp’s original teepee was Also taken down.

But that teepee was rebuilt days later — only to Be joined By more in the days that followed. The File Hills Qu’appelle Tribal Council set up the second teepee, followed By Piapot And Peepeekisis First Nations.

Two more teepees were Added during the Trespassers Powwow, hosted By the Camp on Saturday.

Minister of Central Services Ken Cheveldayoff, Justice Minister Don Morgan, Minister of Social Services Paul Merriman, deputy premier And Minister of Education Gord Wyant were seen Arriving At the Treaty 4 Governance Centre 10 minutes Before the scheduled meeting time of 11 A.m.

Minister Responsible for First Nations, Metis And Northern Affairs Warren Kaeding had Already Arrived when he was joined By the other four ministers.

Camp regulars Prescott Demas, Robyn Pitawanakwat of Colonialism No More, Richelle Dubois, mother of Haven Dubois, And Chris Kortright with the Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism were All seen At the Centre Before the meeting Began.

In An interview last week, the Camp said it would reassess the presence of the Camp in the park After the meeting.

I couldn’t do it in the past because due to my mental health. I’ve been fighting for justice since June 8, 2010.