One week after police shot and killed 34-year-old Steven Dedam in his community, members of Elsipogtog First Nation organized a walk to show their “disgust” for the RCMP.
“Absolutely disgusted with the RCMP because this continues, it continues on – us dying in the hands of them,” said Teagan Copeage, a band councillor.
The RCMP said on that day, two officers went to Dedam’s home after receiving a 911 call regarding a man threatening to harm himself. The First Nation is a Mi’kmaq community 91 kilometres northwest of Moncton, N.B.
RCMP said when they arrived, Dedam had a weapon and approached the officers. According to police, one officer tried to use a stun gun but it failed to work. The other officer shot and killed Dedam.
According to the Serious Incident Response Team, police attended Dedam’s residence on what is called a “wellness check.” The RCMP in New Brunswick took the unusual step of releasing a statement to deny that.
“Stop killing us,” said Copeage.
Dedam is one of six First Nations people – five males and one female – to be killed after coming in contact with police.
Nearly 100 people showed up for the walk in Elsipogtog to call for justice.
Princess Clair helped organize the walk.
“He deserves justice and so does all the other people,” she said of the victims. “Just within this week and not to mention Chantel Moore or Rodney Levi like these people they deserve justice.”
Moore and Levi died a week apart in June 2020. Police in Edmundston, New Brunswick shot and killed Moore while on a wellness check. Levi was shot and killed by the RCMP.
Members of the Moore and Levi family joined the walk.
“It’s ridiculous, it shouldn’t have happened again; we had an inquest purposely so this wouldn’t happen again,” said Glogowej, Levi’s niece.
Martha Martin, Moore’s mother, was also at the gathering.
“We’ve had enough at this point, no more recommendations; what are they going to do with them? They need to start implementing these recommendations,” she said.
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15 days and 6 First Nations people have died when coming in contact with police across Canada
Sixteen First Nations across Atlantic Canada held their own walks in support.
The Dedam family said it’s grateful for the support.
“It brought a lot of people together. I know a lot has happened in regards to First Nations people,” said Keora Doucette, “and I feel like the more we get together and unite like this the stronger we become.”
People ended their walk at the RCMP detachment that was closed for the weekend.
