First Nations group calls for inquiry into police shootings

Aboriginal leaders in Saskatchewan are calling for a public inquiry into the deaths of First Nations people who have been shot by police.

The call comes in the wake of last week's coroner's inquest into the 2006 death of Delbert Pelletier, which some family members said left questions unanswered.

Pelletier, 44, was shot by RCMP at his home two years ago at his home after a lengthy standoff at Muskowekwan First Nation, about 150 kilometres northeast of Regina.

The inquest heard a police sniper say he shot Pelletier after seeing him come out of the house with a rifle and pointing it at a police vehicle.

The inquest jury made several recommendations, including consulting elders and family members during dangerous situations.

Since Pelletier's death, three other aboriginal people in the province have died after being shot by police. Another four were shot, but survived.

Questions unanswered, FSIN says

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations said a public inquiry is needed to try to figure out how to end what it calls a disturbing trend.

"This is not just a First Nation issue," FSIN vice-chief Morley Watson said.

"This is a Saskatchewan issue, and we would hope that the provincial government would step up to the plate, work with us and hopefully, that collectively, we can find some of the answers that remain unanswered at this time."

According to Watson and Pelletier's family, the process didn't answer such questions as whether police could have handled the standoff differently.

"I just think it's been an unfair process," Pelletier's sister-in-law Melanie Fisher said. "You have to hear both sides to a story, and we felt that they just heard their side and not our side, that's why we feel that an inquiry would be best. Because the probing questions would be asked."

Fisher and the FSIN both said they expect it will be difficult to convince the provincial government to hold a public inquiry.