Verdict highlights systemic flaws

To the family of Colten Boushie, we want to express our support and deepest sympathy.

The Stanley case has highlighted many flaws in our justice system. We believe that elements of racism had an underlying role in this verdict, as in previous cases concerning the deaths of Pamela George, Neil Stonechild, and Leo LaChance. Each of these cases demonstrates, yet again, the systemic disadvantages confronted by Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan’s educational, legal and economic structures.

We also want to say that we deplore the blatantly racist attitudes being expressed through social media. It disturbs us greatly to see blame being placed on Colten for his own death, and open celebration of the verdict as though it were a kind of triumph.

These events compel us, as educators, to examine our own systems and to identify ways in which Indigenous peoples are disadvantaged in higher education too. Universities are responsible for shaping the attitudes of their students. We will be encouraging our colleagues to remember this and to work collectively toward a time when systemic injustices toward Indigenous peoples will have been eliminated.

Signed by the following members of the University of Regina faculty: Emily Grafton; Andrea Sterzuk; Brett Waytuck; Brian Christie; David Gregory; David Senkow; Douglas Farenick; Esam Hussein; Gina Grandy; Harold Riemer; Harvey King; John Smith; Judy White; Livia Castellanos; Larenda Hoeber; Rae Staseson; Richard Kleer; and Thomas Bredohl.