The family of a man who died in the custody of Saskatchewan RCMP is demanding answers and changes in how the police have indigenous peoples.
Last month, Gerald Straightnose, a 61 -year -old boy from Keeseekoose First Nation, died in the RCMP detachment cells in Kamsack, Sask., Just over 225 kilometers northeast of Regina.
The serious incident response team, the Saskatchewan police guardian dog, is investigating death, but without still available responses, the family says they have not been able to find the closure.
On Thursday, family members joined the members of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations while gathering in Kamsack.
“We are not going to stop here. We will continue until we obtain that justice and leave exactly what happened,” said Janice Straightnose, Gerald’s sister.
The family wants an indigenous link in police cells to ensure that when indigenous peoples are arrested, someone is taking care of their well -being.
The great chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Indigenous Sovereigns, which represents 74 first nations in Saskatchewan, said it is a suggestion that supports not only in this province, but in Canada.
“This has not ended by a long shot. This family and other families deserve all the justice of the world,” Cameron said.
Found unanswered in the cell
Before he died, Gerald Straightnose was trying to direct his life, says his family.
He had served as the band councilor for six years, and was known for hunting and providing food for traditional ceremonies and those who needed it.
But a fight with addiction had put him in trouble, and finally his family members convinced him to deal with the outstanding arrest orders he had.
On June 3, StraightNose voluntarily delivered to the members of the RCMP detachment in Kamsack. According to a June 10 press statement of the serious incident response team, no strength was used in the arrest.
“When I convinced my brother to go to court, it wasn’t to satisfy his death,” said Janice Straightnose.
His brother appeared in the Provincial Court through CCTV the next day, before being sent to CMP custody.
Around 7 pm on June 5, he was found without responding to his cell. The paramedics were called, but was declared dead at 8:37 pm, according to the police guardian.
The police have not released the cause of death.
On Thursday, Fsin’s family and Gerald Straightnose said that a woman in a nearby cell had reported that before her death, she heard him complain and ask for food and medicines that were destined to treat her withdrawal from drugs.
Thursday’s rally repeatedly highlighted the lack of confidence in the first local nations with the Kamsack RCMP detachment.
Gerald Straightnose’s family and other indigenous speakers in the rally transmitted their own bad experiences with the Mounties. They said they feel that investigations on the death of indigenous peoples are not a priority or that they are swept under the carpet.
“The Police got here to protect us and serve to bring peace among nations, bring peace among people,” said Chief George Cote of Cote First Nation.
“But when you have unexpected deaths in imprisonment, there is simply something wrong.”
Fsin repeats the call to the indigenous police force
On Thursday, the great head of Fsin Cameron repeated his calls prior to an indigenous police force.
Cameron said that the Federation has been repeatedly frustrated by the RCMP, which often applies rural and remote areas in Saskatchewan.
Cameron said before the Thursday demonstration that he had tried to call the RCMP Assistant Robin McNeil, interim commander officer for the RCMP in Saskatchewan, and Mike Duheme, commissioner of the RCMP. Neither of them called, he said.
Cameron also requested changes in the Kamsack department, even for all officers to be fired.
“We are trying to protect our little ones … so that they do not face the bad moments we face, so that they are not mistreated as we have been,” he said.
“We want our children to live better than ever, that they are treated as the same in this country.”
The family of a man who died in the custody of Saskatchewan RCMP is demanding answers and changes in how the police have indigenous people.
In a statement, the Saskatchewan RCMP said they were aware of the demonstration on Thursday.
“[We] Express our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones from the deceased. We recognize your pain, “said the statement.
RCMP refused to answer any questions, saying that they were aware of the ongoing research by the serious incident response team.
Police’s guard dog says he continues to investigate the death of Straightnose.
