Outrage. There is no other word that can adequately describe the feeling across all of Canada this weekend at the acquittal of Gerald Stanley by an all white jury in the shooting death of Colten Boushie.
There is nothing that could have harmed the work of reconciliation in Canada between the systems that be and the indigenous people of this land – than this experience. And it wasn’t manufactured. It was something that life played out and the fallout is absolutely nuclear.
This week, we lend our editorial space to those reactions from our readers from Six Nations and surrounding areas to share how this acquittal made them feel. May these words do something to edify all our readers to move in a better direction for the people of this area. #justiceforcolten
The fear we face everyday cannot be placated by niceties. I live everyday with the knowledge that my sons have to stay above the “norms” of society. If you’re brown there is no “boys will be boys” there is only the very real fact that if they step outta line – they lose their life. “They earned it”. If there is a break-in within 15 km of their location it’s free range on their heads. I suspect that I’m being harsh but so is a bullet to the back of the head.
- Shillene Dale, Ohsweken
With so much discrimination occurring against our people, it is often amazing how accepting we are of our situation. We know that without tolerance there can be no justice. Without understanding there can be no justice. Without equality there can be no justice. Which is why I often wonder what does justice even mean in this country when there is not one soul of diversity on a jury, when we are constantly fighting actions of white supremacy and when we have a system that is solely based on racism and discrimination? Another thing I don’t understand is why something bad always has to happen in order to get the attention needed. Although it came to an unfortunate, sad tragedy, Colten Boushie is a name in this era that will never be forgotten – as we now work towards reforming a justice system and fight in his honour.
- Mark Hill, Six Nations
Seeing the racism is what got to my heart after the verdict. Canada’s court system made this decision and that has deepend our mistrust with authorities and the judicial system. There needs to be a change. This is a prime example how aboriginal people are treated. The people across Turtle Island have had enough. Not just our people but non indigenous people too. I witness and uproar on my social media news feed. One of heartache for Colten and another of shared feeds of comments filled with racism about the victory. Even a group that is supporting legal fees and openly sharing their hate for native people. We are tired of feeling like we are last. Like we are second. When one of our people hurts we all hurt.
- Lela George, Oneida
I am sitting in my apartment, in the 16eme arrondissement of Paris, France – half a world away from my home, half a world away from the outrage that my people are feeling. I see how insignificant we appear in the results of the Colton Boushie murder trial – acquittal; written like a red banner on the headlines of newspapers calling out, “KILL THESE RED INDIANS”. And yet, we wonder why the rest of the world doesn’t know we exist.
- Lily-Anne Mt.Pleasant, Paris
I’ve got a little story. I have a friend who one night noticed that his truck was getting broken into. As it happens he kept a baseball bat near his front door. He grabs it and runs out side to confront the guy. Well the would be thief has a friend on look out who smashed my friend in the back of the head with a rock. He goes down hard. The thieves pick up the baseball bat and beat the shit out of him. So he’s in the hospital and the police say he can’t press charges. They say because he had a bat handy it showed premeditation. Now, I’m not a lawyer but tell me, this guy leaves his house with a gun, how is that not premeditation. IMO he should have been charged with first degree murder not second.
- Jarred Burrows, Boston
Half of me is utterly ashamed while the other completely enraged. Humanity needs healing and this sh*t is not ok
- Lisa Tobicoe, Ancaster
I’m really sad that I can’t honestly say, I’m not shocked, I’m appalled but not shocked. This wasn’t unexpected. We need to remember that a few decades ago this happened in our community. A student having car trouble knocked at a farmers door and was met with a bullet. This is our reality. The fact that anyone can say “he got what he deserved for attempted theft” shows us how valued our lives are in this “country.”
- Cheyenne Williams, Ohsweken
