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‘Heartbreaking’: AFN national chief reacts to in-custody death of Indigenous man in Calgary

Click to play video: '9 Indigenous people have died in police altercations since the end of August'
9 Indigenous people have died in police altercations since the end of August
WATCH ABOVE: Jon Wells died on Sept. 17, after a police altercation in Calgary. He was the ninth Indigenous individual who has died following an altercation with police since the end of August. Heather Yourex-West reports on the call for accountability – Sep 26, 2024

UPDATE: On Sept. 27, 2024, Wells’ family issued a statement about how he will be remembered. You can view the family’s statement in its entirety at the bottom of this article. Also on Sept. 27, Blood Tribe Chief Roy Fox said the tribe’s council plans to file a formal complaint against three officers and are demanding a thorough review.

“Heartbreaking”: that’s one of the words Cindy Woodhouse, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, used as she offered her reaction to the details released by Alberta’s police watchdog on Wednesday on the investigation into the death of a First Nations man in Calgary while he was in police custody.

The 42-year-old man, who has been identified as Jon Wells, a member of the Blood Tribe from southern Alberta, died on Sept. 17 following an encounter with police officers at the Carriage House Hotel and Conference Centre in southeast Calgary.

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Police said they were called to the hotel just before 1 a.m. after someone reported “a man causing a disturbance and refusing to leave.”

In an update on the case on Wednesday, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team said that during the encounter, which lasted for several minutes, the man was unarmed, was acting “in a confused fashion” and appeared to be trying to pick things up off the floor that didn’t exist.

When an officer pointed his stun gun and told him to leave the hotel, the man raised his hands and said, “I don’t want to die.”

After an officer attempted to grab the man, a physical altercation ensued, the man was hit with the stun gun and punched in the head and handcuffs and leg restraints were applied.

ASIRT said as more officers arrived, the man was lying on the floor, bleeding from the mouth and had vomited.

A spit mask was put on the man as he was lying face down on the floor.

EMS gave the man a sedative about seven minutes after he was handcuffed.

About three minutes later someone noticed he was unresponsive and a short time later he was pronounced dead, ASIRT said in the update.

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Eugene Creighton, the commissioner of the Indian National Finals Rodeo and a distant relative of Wells, described him as a champion steer wrestler, “a big guy” and “a gentle giant.”

“He was a very, very gentle man and dedicated to the community, to his family and to his hobby of rodeo,” Creighton said. “He was a role model.”

Jon Wells was named the INFR 2012 Tour Champion in steer wrestling. Courtesy / Eugene Creighton

On Sept. 27, Blood Tribe Chief Roy Fox said the tribe’s council will be filing a formal complaint against three officers and are demanding a thorough review by ASIRT.

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In a statement, Fox also said that Wells’ death is reminiscent of past challenges the First Nation had experienced before speaking out in the 80s when there was a “Policing in relation to the Blood Tribe” public inquiry.

“Today, it is disheartening to find ourselves addressing these issues once again. However, our community has always risen above adversity with strength and resilience. Now, more than ever, we must stand united in our commitment to seek justice for Mr. Wells and ensure that such tragedies do not continue,” Fox said in the statement.

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On Thursday, the chief of the Assembly of First Nations said Wells’ death is just the latest in a series of Indigenous people’s deaths in Canada following “run-ins with police,” including eight besides Wells in the last month.

Woodhouse described the initial details from ASIRT’s investigation into Wells’ death as “horrific,” and a setback to First Nations’ efforts at reconciliation.

“There’s been too many deaths,” she said. “It’s hurtful and almost leaves you speechless. When you’re trying to work towards reconciliation, this is not helping.”

She is calling for First Nations oversight of the investigations into such incidents and more funding to support policing in Indigenous communities.

ASIRT tells Global News it has been in touch with Wells’ family and will ask if they want an Indigenous elder chosen to provide oversight to the investigation.

Responding to the ASIRT release, Calgary police Chief Mark Neufeld vowed Wednesday evening to fully cooperate with the investigation.

“We welcome the oversight, we welcome the transparency,” Neufeld said.  “I would just ask folks to suspend judgement and let the investigation take its course.”

In the meantime, Neufeld says the three officers involved have been placed on 30-day mandatory administrative leave and CPS confirms to Global News they will continue to be paid.

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Jon Wells, a well-known indigenous rodeo champion, has been identified as the man who died while in police custody following a confrontation at the Carriage House Inn in Calgary on September 17, 2024.
Jon Wells, a well-known indigenous rodeo champion, has been identified as the man who died while in police custody following a confrontation at the Carriage House Inn in Calgary on Sept. 17, 2024. Legacy Funeral Home

In a statement to Global News, a spokesperson for Canada’s Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc said “we recognize that recent officer-involved fatal incidents in Indigenous communities have been incredibly difficult for community members, and most of all the loved ones of the deceased. Our thoughts are with them.”

“Since 2018, we have invested significantly to bolster the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program to further increase access to dedicated, culturally responsive policing services in First Nations communities,” the spokesperson said.

“There is still a lot of work to be done, but we will get there through ongoing collaboration and frank, open dialogue.”

Statement released by the Wells family on Sept. 27:

The Wells family is grieving the loss of Jon Wells, a beloved member of the Blood Tribe and a respected figure throughout the nation. Jon’s tragic and untimely death has left a void in the hearts of all who knew him.

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Jon was a loving father, son, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew and friend to many. His dedication to his family and community was unwavering, and his impact on the youth he mentored was profound. Jon’s passion for horses and rodeo led him to become a well-known cowboy, travelling across Canada and the United States to compete in various events.

Jon received his post secondary education and graduated from the Criminal Justice diploma program from the Lethbridge College, now Polytech in 2011, Jon was in the process of pursuing his degree in the Criminal Justice program.

In 2012, Jon became the steer wrestling tour champ, his talent and hard work earned him a spot as a contestant in the INFR (Indian National Finals Rodeo). Jon’s skills in horsemanship were unmatched, and he used his abilities to inspire and instruct the youth, including those at the Kainai Transition Center who were facing trauma and addictions.

Jon’s involvement in the Blackfoot holistic approach to healing further showcased his commitment to the well-being of his community. He was a mentor and a wrangler through the Little Bear program, bridging the gap between the Blood Tribe and surrounding communities through his horsemanship skills.

As a former president of the Blood Tribe Ag Society and a Canadian Pro Rodeo Association member, Jon’s leadership and influence were felt far and wide. His legacy as a mentor, friend, and cowboy will forever be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

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Jon will be dearly missed, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of those he touched.

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