Some of the many people who arrived at North Battleford Provincial Court on Thursday morning. Photo by Chelsea Laskowski.
The anticipated final day of the Gerald Stanley’s preliminary hearing began with a solidarity gathering for the victim’s family.
On Thursday morning, around a hundred people arrived at North Battleford Provincial Court, bringing their voices, drums, and signs after Colten Boushie’s family put out a call for “support and solidarity.”
Boushie was the 22-year-old Red Pheasant First Nation man who was shot and killed after a vehicle he was in drove onto Stanley’s Biggar area farm last August.
Boushie’s cousin Jade Tootoosis stood next to his mother Debbie Baptiste to address the crowd, her voice wavering as she spoke.
“We lost our Colten, and he’s irreplaceable. However, Colten’s death must have a purpose. While his death revealed a deep divide that exists between many within this province, it has also brought us here to this courthouse,” she said.
She said she hoped the preliminary hearing and the issue it raises will help to bring communities together.
Colten Boushie’s uncle Alvin Baptiste stays still during a drum song by Saulteaux band members. Photo by Chelsea Laskowski.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice-Chief Heather Bear and Red Pheasant Chief Clint Wuttunee also spoke to media. They agree that more needs to be done to bridge the racial divides in this province and Wuttunee said he hopes the preliminary hearing leads to a prosecution on second-degree murder.
Drummers from nearby Saulteaux First Nation were also on hand, playing a song that led many, including Baptiste, to shed tears.
The crowd booed Stanley as he and his lawyer arrived at court and chanted “Justice for Colten” after they went in.