On the heels of National Indigenous Peoples Day, The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is standing in solidarity with the members of the Justice for our Stolen Children camp.
“To have this teepee here and this sacred fire here, that’s like a church, that’s our house, that’s our sacred place,” FSIN Vice-Chief Heather Bear said.
On Monday, after 111 days, the protesters were removed from Wascana Park. Some were arrested and the camp was shut down by Regina Police.
“When RPS picked us up they held us and told the people here that they would not release us until the teepee was taken down,” protester Prescott Demas said.
Even though the group complied, it didn’t take long before the teepee was back, in the same spot across from the Saskatchewan Legislative building.
“We’re not here to be quieted or whatever, we’re here to be heard,” Demas said.
The Justice for our Stolen Children camp was set up in February after the acquittals of Gerald Stanley in the fatal shooting of Colten Boushie and Raymond Cormier in the death of Manitoba teen Tina Fontaine.
Both victims were Indigenous.
“We need justice reform, we need it from right as soon as a crime is committed, all the way through right until sentencing. Every level, policing, courts everywhere,” White Bear First Nation Chief, Nathan Pasap said.
But it’s not changes to the justice system that many would like to see, but the child welfare system as well.
“There should be a moratorium on any child being taken from any home off reserve and on reserve right now,” Bear said. “You’ve done so much harm, that needs to be reconciled. 2015 calls came it’s 2018 what’s changed? Canada what has changed? Saskatchewan shame on you.”
Demas said they want a meeting with the government and Cameron says he will help make it happen, saying a meeting is already in the works.