Colten Boushie, a 22-year old Cree youth was shot in the head by Saskatchewan farmer Gerald Stanley. That is undisputed.
So, why the not-guilty verdict?
That decision sparked protests across the country and brought race relations in Canada into sharp focus with some Indigenous people seeing a justice system steeped in colonialism and white supremacy.
APTN Investigates video journalist, Rob Smith, looks at the verdict that shocked the nation and revealed deep divisions in the justice system for Indigenous Peoples.
There is a major racist fallout over this. Racism has always been here but now it’s in your face. I’ve got hate and death threats from some guy I didn’t even know and he said that I could be shot just like Colten Boushie and he would get away with it. People feel “safe” projecting their hate towards First Nations people. I’ve seen more than one post about “open season on Natives”. Don’t try to say this is NOT about race because you have no idea what it means to be in my skin and until you’ve been sent death threats because of the color of your skin then maybe you can say it’s not about race.
There is a major racist fallout over this. Racism has always been here but now it’s in your face. I’ve got hate and death threats from some guy I didn’t even know and he said that I could be shot just like Colten Boushie and he would get away with it. People feel “safe” projecting their hate towards First Nations people. I’ve seen more than one post about “open season on Natives”. Don’t try to say this is NOT about race because you have no idea what it means to be in my skin and until you’ve been sent death threats because of the color of your skin then maybe you can say it’s not about race.
There are thousands of Indigenous men in jail and few if any are there for shooting a white man in the head.
There are thousands of Indigenous men in jail and few if any are there for shooting a white man in the head.
As Gerald Stnaley doesn’t display his use of firearms in a competent manner; can he have his firearms taken from his use?
As Gerald Stnaley doesn’t display his use of firearms in a competent manner; can he have his firearms taken from his use?
Watched the documentary and was disappointed in the misinformation of fact that was reported which I believe I station must retract as it creates a racial divide in our community. You stated that Stanley was let go after a few hours in custody and that his statement was taken days after the shooting. Both are incorrect and must be corrected.
Watched the documentary and was disappointed in the misinformation of fact that was reported which I believe I station must retract as it creates a racial divide in our community. You stated that Stanley was let go after a few hours in custody and that his statement was taken days after the shooting. Both are incorrect and must be corrected.
Maybe the justice system worked as intended rather than mob rule? While not good that someone died why is the part played by Colton and company never discussed? Painting this as a racial issue instead of as a criminal action issues does nothing but create further division, hate and racism on both sides
Maybe the justice system worked as intended rather than mob rule? While not good that someone died why is the part played by Colton and company never discussed? Painting this as a racial issue instead of as a criminal action issues does nothing but create further division, hate and racism on both sides
You do a huge disservice to the cause of Justice for Colton, for Gerald Stanley, for our community and indeed the people of of Canada by your journalistic failure to present balanced, objective context in your reporting. Your bias discredits the legitimacy of the valid issues this case raised. Certainly there are issues that need to be addressed and elements of the trial and investigation that are highly qustionable such as the “hang fire defense” and the failure to preserve evidence (even the defense took issue with that).
Your assertion that this innocent group were merely looking for help for a flat tire is totally deceitful, even disgusting in terms of journalistic integrity.
You should probably read the Court transcript before you present your idealistic version of events. Or then again maybe you did?
In your context you may as well have just come right out an say these innocents were just skipping down a country road on a sunny summer day in Saskatchewan picking baskets of wild flowers. May as well go full “Disney”!
Your credibility when you do this is getting right up there with Eric Meechance, Cassidy Cross and Jackson on the wittness stand whose absymal testimony, contradictions and lies inadvertently lent credibility to to Stanley’s highly qustionable version of events.
Furthermore the judges instructions to the jury said “if any part of the wittness’s testimony raised any doubts your must aquit” . Which part of their testimony dident raise doubts?
You also forgot to mention where they got the booze, from a liquor store they broke into the night before.
What about the attempted violent theft at neighboring farm minutes before where they terrified a 74 year old farm wife, home alone as she witnessed them smashing truck windows with a rifle (which subsequently turned out to be loaded), A farm wife who was well aware of the murder of former neighbors of hers (and Stanley’s), (Kipp and Teterenko) who were shot in their heads while kneeing in their bedrooms by Baptiste and Carron.
Their somewhat disabled SUV had been noticed by residents of a bible camp that afternoon as it roared by on a gravel road dragging a tailpipe, spewing rocks, no muffler and driving on a front rim.
Imagine this vehicle roaring into Stanley’s yard.
No muffler, driving on a rim, and then the occupants imeaditley start a full on assult on the property attempting to steal.
It’s like a scene out of a “Mad Max” movie!
When the car swerves in the direction of Stanley’s son he smashes the window. Does this sound like innocent and harmless young people ?
You also forgot to mention how Colton liked to dress up in Indian gang colors and parafililla, Pictures are all over the Internet.What’s up with that?
Just playing ”Gangsta”? Well some sometimes the “Gangsta” thing gets real, real fast and it dosen’t usually end well.
I’m also sure that everything Coltons mother said about her son is true! There is however more to the story.
The KKK segment ?
How is it in a neighood so rife with KKK members that Cassidy Cross as he is fleeing the Stanley farm on foot gets picked up by one of these White racist area farmers and gets driven to his home on the rez?
The Only white farmer in Sask not a member of the KKK? Wow talk about luck!
The jury selection. Since when did skin color, appearance of race become a function of good conscience?
Can we definitively say that there were no aboriginala on that jury? I have relatives that are light skinned and blonde haired who are aboriginal.
I too wish there were jurors whole were “visibly aboriginal” to dispel or at least refute allegations (which you clearly make) of raceism on the jury. Does this then mean that race, culture skin color should play a principle role in jury selection?
What about the case of Mohammed Shafia who murdered his wife and three daughters in a Muslim “Honor Killing”. Should he have been tried by a jury of his peers who subscribe to “Sharia Law” ?
How far should our cultural, accommodation extend into our justice systems!?
In the beginning of your program you reference the “hanging of eight Indian men for rebelling against Canada” .
Blatantly untrue!
These men were hung for murdering nine unarmed civillians at Frog Lake, (there was no battle,)a farm instructor at Red Pheasant and a local rancher. Non of these killjngs were in anyway military actions or noble combat. In the context of the times (1885) hanging was the standard penalty for murder. Dident matter what race you were.
Even if the events at Frog Lake could be termed a military action because of subsequent battles the killing of unarmed civillians then as now was a war crime. In 1885 murders were hung.
One of my ancestors was among those killed at Frog Lake. My great grandmother named her second born son(my grandfather) after him. I in turn am named after my grandfather. My grandson ( who is half Cree) is now named after me
Everythings a circle,
I pray in a Sweat Lodge, and I’m an advocate for Indians.
I hate it when well meaning people diminish the integrity of my choosen people with false narratives
You do a huge disservice to the cause of Justice for Colton, for Gerald Stanley, for our community and indeed the people of of Canada by your journalistic failure to present balanced, objective context in your reporting. Your bias discredits the legitimacy of the valid issues this case raised. Certainly there are issues that need to be addressed and elements of the trial and investigation that are highly qustionable such as the “hang fire defense” and the failure to preserve evidence (even the defense took issue with that).
Your assertion that this innocent group were merely looking for help for a flat tire is totally deceitful, even disgusting in terms of journalistic integrity.
You should probably read the Court transcript before you present your idealistic version of events. Or then again maybe you did?
In your context you may as well have just come right out an say these innocents were just skipping down a country road on a sunny summer day in Saskatchewan picking baskets of wild flowers. May as well go full “Disney”!
Your credibility when you do this is getting right up there with Eric Meechance, Cassidy Cross and Jackson on the wittness stand whose absymal testimony, contradictions and lies inadvertently lent credibility to to Stanley’s highly qustionable version of events.
Furthermore the judges instructions to the jury said “if any part of the wittness’s testimony raised any doubts your must aquit” . Which part of their testimony dident raise doubts?
You also forgot to mention where they got the booze, from a liquor store they broke into the night before.
What about the attempted violent theft at neighboring farm minutes before where they terrified a 74 year old farm wife, home alone as she witnessed them smashing truck windows with a rifle (which subsequently turned out to be loaded), A farm wife who was well aware of the murder of former neighbors of hers (and Stanley’s), (Kipp and Teterenko) who were shot in their heads while kneeing in their bedrooms by Baptiste and Carron.
Their somewhat disabled SUV had been noticed by residents of a bible camp that afternoon as it roared by on a gravel road dragging a tailpipe, spewing rocks, no muffler and driving on a front rim.
Imagine this vehicle roaring into Stanley’s yard.
No muffler, driving on a rim, and then the occupants imeaditley start a full on assult on the property attempting to steal.
It’s like a scene out of a “Mad Max” movie!
When the car swerves in the direction of Stanley’s son he smashes the window. Does this sound like innocent and harmless young people ?
You also forgot to mention how Colton liked to dress up in Indian gang colors and parafililla, Pictures are all over the Internet.What’s up with that?
Just playing “Gangsta”? Well some sometimes the “Gangsta” thing gets real, real fast and it dosen’t usually end well.
I’m also sure that everything Coltons mother said about her son is true! There is however more to the story.
The KKK segment ?
How is it in a neighood so rife with KKK members that Cassidy Cross as he is fleeing the Stanley farm on foot gets picked up by one of these White racist area farmers and gets driven to his home on the rez?
The Only white farmer in Sask not a member of the KKK? Wow talk about luck!
The jury selection. Since when did skin color, appearance of race become a function of good conscience?
Can we definitively say that there were no aboriginala on that jury? I have relatives that are light skinned and blonde haired who are aboriginal.
I too wish there were jurors whole were “visibly aboriginal” to dispel or at least refute allegations (which you clearly make) of raceism on the jury. Does this then mean that race, culture skin color should play a principle role in jury selection?
What about the case of Mohammed Shafia who murdered his wife and three daughters in a Muslim “Honor Killing”. Should he have been tried by a jury of his peers who subscribe to “Sharia Law” ?
How far should our cultural, accommodation extend into our justice systems!?
In the beginning of your program you reference the “hanging of eight Indian men for rebelling against Canada” .
Blatantly untrue!
These men were hung for murdering nine unarmed civillians at Frog Lake, (there was no battle,)a farm instructor at Red Pheasant and a local rancher. Non of these killjngs were in anyway military actions or noble combat. In the context of the times (1885) hanging was the standard penalty for murder. Dident matter what race you were.
Even if the events at Frog Lake could be termed a military action because of subsequent battles the killing of unarmed civillians then as now was a war crime. In 1885 murders were hung.
One of my ancestors was among those killed at Frog Lake. My great grandmother named her second born son(my grandfather) after him. I in turn am named after my grandfather. My grandson ( who is half Cree) is now named after me
Everythings a circle,
I pray in a Sweat Lodge, and I’m an advocate for Indians.
I hate it when well meaning people diminish the integrity of my choosen people with false narratives