We demand a full public inquiry pursuant to the Inquiries Act into the shooting death of Colten Boushie and the subsequent investigation, trial & acquittal of Gerald Stanley. This decision enforces systemic discrimination embedded in the legal system and has failed to uphold justice in Canada.

Please stand with the family of Colten Boushie and the Indigenous Bar Association and demand justice for all peoples in Canada who are subject to discrimination upheld by the legal system. This demand follows the Boushie Family’s presentation to the 17th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Boushie Family’s presentation to the Assembly of First Nations Special Chief’s Assembly on May 1st and 2nd, 2018. These presentations identified the following key areas of public concern that manifested before, during, and after the investigation and trial of Gerald Stanley.  The issues that remain, however, are not limited to: the apparently flawed RCMP investigation; the court proceedings and trial that were systemically biased, given the selection of an all-white jury and the reliance on racial stereotypes that were seemingly present; the decision to reject the family’s request for an independent investigation and outside prosecution to prevent the appearance of bias; and finally, the decision not to appeal the acquittal. Private and public discrimination against First Nations people continues to be displayed flagrantly on television, social media, and news media.

The death of Colten Boushie and the trial of Gerald Stanley serves as just one stark example of the failure of the criminal justice system to treat Indigenous victims, offenders, and their families fairly with dignity and respect. The need to address it remains increasingly important to meet the Government’s commitment of reconciliation. An inquiry is essential to identify specific issues and steps to remedy them. Without it, the fundamental issues between Indigenous people, the RCMP, the Government and the legal system will only continue to intensify and reveal itself in further tragedy.

Therefore, it is incumbent on this Government to establish a public inquiry into the shooting death of Colten Boushie, including the subsequent investigation, trial and acquittal of Gerald Stanley.