Statement from the Treaty Commissioner of Saskatchewan

Indigenous people need allies and support when a system shows them no justice.

The Office of the Treaty Commissioner watched as the verdict was delivered the public in the trial of Gerald Stanley and saw resounding heart break of the family and friends of Colten Boushie.

There is frustration and disappointment in a flawed system and process that doesn’t treat all people fairly. Today people are crying out that they have not seen justice done in the death of a young man.

Now, more than ever we need to come together as a nation and province-wide community. Reconciliation efforts are not one-sided, it must grow from people together. Reconciliation is about learning the past and choosing to build a better future. It’s understanding each other. It’s building trust.

Our Treaty relationship is in trouble and has been set back once again. Leadership in this province and country which crosses over many Treaty territories, needs to come forward with social and political will to actively invest in true Reconciliation and relationship building, while having zero tolerance for any form of discrimination.

Our Treaties are Treaties of peace, we can no longer let this relationship be divided, we cannot use hateful and divisive language that encourage violent acts, we cannot ignore racial divides any longer, truths need to be spoken and heard. We need to build better systems, free from discrimination.

We need to do better. Saskatchewan needs to do better. Canada needs to do better.

NT5