Family of Colten Boushie trying to move forward in face of tragedy
Vigil to honour Boushie planned for next week in North Battleford
For the first time since Colten Boushie's funeral, his family speaks to CBC News about how they're coping.
"I have the bloodline of a warrior," said Boushie's uncle, Alvin Baptiste. "Stand up for your people. Speak for your people. I'm speaking for those who cannot speak. This is what I'm doing. Speaking for generations to come. No parents should go through that pain."
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Baptise's sister, Debbie Baptiste, is Boushie's mother. Alvin says she is trying to stay as strong as possible in the face of this tragedy.
'I don't want any more people hurt...I don't want another young man or woman to be killed over Colten."- Alvin Baptiste
"I try my best to support my sister and I see the pain that she's going through. I know my sister, I grew up with her. She hides that pain really good but deep down inside I know she cries."
On Thursday, Baptiste joined Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice Chief Kimberly Jonathan, members of the Red Pheasant First Nation, delegates from the World Indigenous Business Forum and legal professionals to discuss next steps.
"I don't want any more people hurt," Alvin Baptiste told CBC News. "I want this to be a peaceful way of justice. I don't want another young man or woman to be killed over Colten. I want my nephew to be remembered as a good person."
Vice Chief Jonathan organized the meeting on behalf of Baptiste.
"The family is not one standing alone," said Jonathan. "They have the 74 First Nations behind them. They have legal minds behind them. People from across Canada are coming together."
Since 22-year-old Colten Boushie was shot and killed on a Saskatchewan farm Tuesday, Aug. 9, both Baptiste and Jonathan have had concerns about the legal process.
Initially, FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron expressed concerns about information on the case released by the Mounties.
"The RCMP news release kind of leads readers to believe that a crime was about to be committed and therefore deserved retaliation that obviously resulted in the tragedy of a young man," Cameron told CBC News earlier this month.
"People can draw all sorts of conclusions out of it," he added. "They can say any type of crime was about to happen."
Vice Chief Jonathan called for an immediate review of RCMP communication policies and writing guidelines.
Boushie's uncle said he feels like it's an uphill battle for justice.
"I'm here to seek help," Baptiste said. "What keeps me moving is the people. The support I get. I appreciate that support that's out there. That's what drives me and I keep moving forward."
But as Baptiste and the Boushie family continue to take steps to move forward, Baptiste says there is fear in the community right now.
"The community is divided between the farmers and our First Nations community," said Baptiste. "They're scared to go out there because you don't know what type of retaliation could happen."
Baptiste lives in North Battleford. He says he has Indigenous and non-Indigenous friends in the community.
"I get along with them pretty well out there. I get along with my neighbours. I don't feel that racist tension at all out there."
Vigil planned for next week
Boushie's family has now planned a vigil for next Thursday in North Battleford. Vice Chief Jonathan said it's important Colten Boushie's name doesn't disappear from public conversation.
"Everyone is welcome to come and support one another," said Jonathan. "There is a lot at stake here. Not only for the family who will always miss Colten. But also for all of Saskatchewan and Canada."
Baptiste said there will be a number of speakers, singers, and prayers during the vigil.
"We need healing. This happened so close to our homes and could have been anyone. Unfortunately, it was my nephew that was taken."
The vigil will start at 6 p.m. CST and go throughout the evening.
"To have a vigil like this, they're all welcome. We're all together in this. It doesn't matter if they're black, yellow, red, white. We all breathe the same air and drink the same water," said Baptiste.
A sign he's not alone
Baptiste recently travelled back to the Red Pheasant First Nation and noticed a cloud formation in the shape of a thunderbird.
"This is one of the thunderbirds that we pray [to] in Sundance lodges. The Creator has sent a strong message telling me I'm not alone. I have a lot of people out there praying for my family and for my community."
Gerald Stanley, 54, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of Boushie. He makes his next court appearance Sept. 13 in North Battleford Provincial Court.
