On the heels of nationwide outrage over the acquittal of Gerald Stanley, a Saskatchewan farmer charged in the shooting death of Colten Boushie, there are calls for action to mend the relationship between Canada’s Indigenous people and the justice system.
“What we’ve gotten out of the decision I think, and what we need to focus on, is that there really is an ongoing lack of trust — a deep, historically-rooted mistrust toward the justice system,” said Drew Lafond, a Calgary lawyer who also serves as vice-president of the Indigenous Bar Association.
Protests broke out across Canada after an all-white jury acquitted a white farmer in the death of Boushie, an Indigenous man. The prime minister and the federal justice minister took to social media to offer their support to the Boushie family after the verdict was delivered.
READ MORE: Federal justice minister says Canada ‘can and must do better’ after Gerald Stanley acquittal
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Speaking not about the case evidence but about the wider fallout, Lafond said it’s important to focus on how Indigenous peoples across the country have been affected.
“The most important thing we need to look at going forward, is how do we mend this fractured relationship between the Crown and Indigenous peoples, insofar as the justice system is concerned,” he said.
Lafond cites work including the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, and the Neil Stonechild Inquiry, as well as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls inquiry as events he hopes will reshape dialogue and action going forward.
READ MORE: Trudeau Liberals announce new legislative framework on Indigenous rights
Lafond spoke to Global News ahead of a presentation to Edmonton-area high school students as part of Indigenous Career Day. He described the role for Indigenous peoples in the legal system as one that is wide-ranging, and growing.
“There’s actually an opportunity for any individual who has an interest in advancing the interests of Indigenous peoples within Canada, or the public generally, to participate. I think it’s exciting to look out, engage the youth and see if there’s any opportunity for them to start participating with us in making Canada a better place.”
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ ongoing coverage of the Colten Boushie case.
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Trudeau talks about his meeting with Colten Boushie’s family -
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Family of Colten Boushie call for meaningful dialogue on First Nations racism -
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Family of Colten Boushie thankful for chance to raise issues of discrimination with Canada’s leaders -
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U of S students rally for Colten Boushie’s family after Gerald Stanley verdict -
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Boushie’s family meets with PM, hopes for reform -
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Opposition leader Andrew Scheer on Boushie verdict -
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Mourners of Colten Boushie gather in Fredericton -
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Family of Colten Boushie praises ‘productive’ meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau -
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‘Even though people say it wasn’t about race, it was’: Boushie family -
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Colten Boushie’s family demands changes in the system -
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NDP calls Boushie verdict a ‘crisis of trust’ -
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Boushie verdict highlights diversity problems on juries -
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NDP calls for more diversity on juries following Colten Boushie verdict -
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NDP demands justice for Colten Boushie -
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‘We will never know’: Would an Indigenous juror have influenced Boushie trial differently? -
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Boushie family thankful for messages from Trudeau, MPs -
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Boushie family more ‘hopeful’ after meeting with federal ministers -
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FSIN vice-chief on Colten Boushie case -
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‘Justice for Colten Boushie’ vigil held in Peterborough on Sunday -
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Uncle proud of Colten Boushie’s mom, slams court system over Gerald Stanley verdict
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