The family of Taya Sinclair said they are still grieving as they come to terms with her death.
Sinclair, 24, was found dead in Prince Albert, Sask., on Tuesday morning.
Donna Aubichon said Sinclair, a mother of two young children, was a dearly loved family member who was tragically taken away “in a way that no human should ever be treated.”
“Nobody, despite their gender or their race, deserves to be treated the way our girl was treated. We call for justice to be served against the people that did this to her,” Aubichon, who was Sinclair’s aunt, said on Friday.
She said Sinclair may not have been perfect and made mistakes, but if supports had been in place for her, her life may have turned out differently.
“Taya is so incredibly beautiful. She had the most beautiful smile, the craziest sense of humour, the wildest spirit,” Aubichon said.
“She was a daughter, she was a sister, she was a mother. She was so loved, she was so wanted, she was so cared for.”
Prior to the family’s press conference, Prince Albert Police Service issued a public apology to the family, saying they acted prematurely in releasing details about Sinclair’s death.
Prince Albert police said Sinclair’s burnt body was found at a snow dump south of Alfred Jenkins Field House.
Police said that information was released publicly before all the details of Sinclair’s death had been shared with her family.
“Due to the sensitive nature of this information and the extreme trauma Taya’s family is suffering at this very difficult time, the public release of these details resulted in surprise and added anguish for her family,” read a statement from Prince Albert Police Service.
“For that, we are immensely sorry. Our error has left Taya’s family with more questions and pain, and this is unacceptable.”
Loretta King said the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) has worked with the family in dealing with the police.
“I am pleased to see that the Prince Albert Police Services have apologized for their handling in this case,” said King, MN-S minister of women and gender equity.
“We partner with police because we want them to be at their best for our families. And we will continue to hold them to the highest standards.”
That includes recognizing violence against Indigenous women still continues to this day, King said.
“These horrific incidences will continue until the barriers to the equitable participation of Indigenous women in every part of society and the economy are removed,” she said.
“We have made strides, but there is far too much yet to be done.”
Police said they are committed to keeping the Sinclair family informed as the investigation progresses.
“In this instance, we did not ensure Taya’s family was fully aware of the circumstances before we released information publicly, and we recognize the stress and heartbreak this has caused her family and friends, and our community,” police said in their statement.
“We are committed to keeping Taya’s family well informed by investigators, and supported by our victim services unit.”
Aubichon called on anyone with information on Sinclair’s death to call police.
“We call for justice to be served against the people that did this to her,” she said.
“We ask that you please continue to hold us in your prayers as Taya makes her journey to the spirit world.”