Canada: Saskatchewan calls for complete overhaul of Canadian Justice system for indigenous people
Saskatchewan, Mar 10 (IBNS): Numerous gatherings on a recent rally had been calling for a change in the jury selection process in the Canadian justice system for Indigenous people after Gerald Stanley acquitted in Colten Boushie shooting was found not guilty by a jury of 2nd-degree murder, media reports said.
Reportedly after an altercation with 22-year-old, Boushie ,Stanley, 56, shot Boushie in the head.
Apparent lack of Indigenous member in the composition of the jury in the Stanley trial was pointed out.
"There definitely has to be changes," David Pratt, second vice-chief for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), was reported to state in Saskatoon Court of Queen's Bench courthouse.
"We're urging the federal justice minister to take that action immediately. I'm hopeful that the premier will take notice and work with us to ensure that justice is done for the family and that the life of Colten Boushie will not be in vain."
The rally finished with supporters chanting, "Justice for Colten! Justice for Colten!"
In a statement released Saturday afternoon,Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said, "I am listening, our government is listening, and it is important that we continue to listen to the many voices involved in this discussion."
He was reported to meet with FSIN and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the near future.
Sen. Murray Sinclair, who headed Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, wrote an emotional poem on Facebook about the verdict.
"Today I grieve for my country," it begins.
Speaking to reporters in Los Angeles, Trudeau was reported to state, "Our hearts go out to Colten Boushie's family, his mom Debbie, his friends and the entire community...Indigenous people across this country are angry, they're heartbroken. I know Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians alike know that we have to do better."
At a news conference in Regina, Perry Bellegarde, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said that despite multiple inquiries into how Canada's justice system has failed indigenous people, it remains rife with systemic racism.
"We have to call on governments to work with us and develop [an] anti-racism plan and strategy," Bellegarde reportedly said adding a complete overhaul of the justice system was needed.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
Image: Colten Boushie/Facebook page
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