“Not First Nations friendly.”
Those were the comments directed toward Saskatchewan’s justice system by Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron.
Chief Cameron spoke to reporters outside a Battleford courthouse Thursday morning moments before the third day of testimony in the Gerald Stanley trial was set to begin.
Stanley is on trial for the second-degree murder of Colten Boushie.
Cameron says he is there to support the family of Boushie.
“We have been here from day one, supporting and assisting in anyway the family needs,” he said. “We are praying that justice is served.”
Cameron says he is remaining optimistic that a guilty verdict will be reached in the trial, but called the selection of an all-white jury “unfair.” He pointed to this as an argument for what he calls needed change in Saskatchewan’s justice system.
“That’s the justice system for you,” said Cameron. “It’s not First Nations friendly, it never has, and someday it has to change.”
Chief Cameron says he plans to meet with Premier-designate Scott Moe, as well as whoever is selected as the province’s attorney general to lobby for changes in the province’s justice system.
The Stanley trial is set to continue on Thursday with more testimony from people who were in the SUV with Boushie before he was fatally shot.
The trial is scheduled for another two weeks, but could wrap up sooner.
(PHOTO: FSIN Chief, Bobby Cameron. File photo.)