Several tents, a teepee and a sacred fire remain on the grounds across from the Legislative Assembly building, as protesters marked day 45 of their campaign Friday.
The structures started popping up shortly after the Colten Boushie and Tina Fontaine murder trial verdicts. In both cases, the accused were found not guilty.
The group led by organizer Prescott Demas is advocating for societal change in attitudes towards Canada’s First Peoples population.
Over the six weeks, the camp has lost members, yet Demas says he plans on staying put, focused on raising awareness to not only the historical negative impacts of residential school and the Sixties Scoop, but what Demas believes is the continued effort to rid Indigenous peoples of their culture.
“The only way the cycle can be broken is by creating awareness, getting people to understand the issues that affect us,” he said.
However, Demas is confident that injustices towards First Peoples will continue until the broader public has a better understanding of their history.
“All these issues that we talk about, Justice for Colten, Justice for Tina, all those things they’re going to be there,” Demas said.
As the protesters continue their fight, Demas admits that raising awareness in the public is occurring. He recounts a conversation with a person who had an opposing view. While they disagreed with each other, Demas says they were able to have respectful dialogue on their perspectives.
“We’ve had a lot more new people,” he said. “When I talk to people here, I’m not trying to change your mind. I’m asking you to read into Canadian history, and perhaps you can change your own mind.”
While the protesters did encounter some resistance from the Provincial Capital Commission about being on the Wascana Centre grounds, Demas says authorities have now left them alone.
(PHOTO: Prescott Demas at protest camp in Regina. Photo by Dan Jones.)