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Tensions Run High at Court Appearance of Suspect Charged with Killing an Indigenous Man on Saskatchewan Farm

Colten Boushie, 22, died a hero, his brother said.

William Boushie, brother of Colten Boushie, speaks to media during a rally outside of court. Photo by Canadian Press/Liam Richards

North Battleford –

The mood was sombre Thursday morning, as several dozen people gathered outside a courthouse in North Battleford, Saskatchewan to protest the shooting death of a 22-year-old Indigenous man that has exposed long-standing racial tensions in the area.

Colten Boushie was a man of his community and died a hero, according to his brother, William Boushie.

"I hope I can find forgiveness in my heart in the long run, but right now I'm grieving. I'm hurt," said William Boushie, amid a crowd that stood in silence outside the Saskatchewan Provincial Court, save for the sounds of nearby traffic and children.

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They were there waiting for Gerald Stanley, the 54-year-old charged with second degree murder in Boushie's death. According to the RCMP, a vehicle with five people entered a farm last Tuesday, a verbal exchange occurred, and an occupant of the vehicle was shot. Boushie's family said he was shot in the head while his girlfriend, uncle and friends were in the car. His uncle told CBC they approached the farm to ask for help with a tire. Stanley has pleaded not guilty.

Members of Gerald Stanley's family are escorted by RCMP at the Saskatchewan Provincial Court. Photo by Canadian Press/Liam Richards

After Stanley's court appearance, the silence gave way to anger. The crowd began to chant "Justice for Colten" in unison as the family of the accused was escorted out of the courthouse.

"This man took the light from my eyes. I'll never get him back. I just want justice," Boushie said of Stanley.

"My brother lost his life protecting those women in the car, is why he went. He could've been like those other boys, he could've took off running," he said. "My brother was a warrior. He died brave."

Boushie's death sparked a wave of anger and frustration across the province as initial police reports said multiple people had been taken into custody for potential theft investigations, although no charges were ever laid. Indigenous leaders accused the RCMP of presenting the information in a way that lead readers to conclude "that the shooting was somehow justified." Those reports sparked a flurry of racist comments from people on social media, which prompted condemnation from Premier Brad Wall, the RCMP and the National Farmers Union, among others.

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"Racism has no place in Saskatchewan," Wall wrote in a statement posted to Facebook that denounced the "racist and hate-filled comments" on social media. "This must stop. These comments are not only unacceptable, intolerant and a betrayal of the very values and character of Saskatchewan, they are dangerous."

According to media reports, Stanley has received support from area farmers who say they are grappling with rising crime. There is no indication that was a factor in this case.

In a statement released Thursday, the Stanley family expressed its condolences to the Boushie family, calling Colten's death a tragedy. "While the circumstances of the incident are not as simple as some media reports have portrayed, the Stanley family will reserve comment until after completion of the criminal process," read a statement released by the family lawyer, Scott Spencer. "Although the rampant speculation and misinformation is frustrating, it is not the place for, or reasonable to expect, the Stanley family to correct the public record… we hope that all will reserve judgement until those facts are established."

The crowd outside the courthouse expressed frustration that a photo of Gerald Stanley was being withheld.

"Why are they hiding him?" Edward Soonias, who referred to Colten Boushie as Coco, asked tearfully.

Sheldon Wuttunee, former chief of the Red Pheasant Cree First Nation, said the rally is in support for Boushie's family.

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"There are a lot of sentiments and speculation in the public that has lead to people coming here and supporting the family in this difficult time," Wuttunee said.

Wuttunee said the family will rely on culture and tradition to move forward.

"It's not a rally to send a message of retaliation. It needs to be very clear that it is a family that is grieving. We've all heard the speculation surrounding Colten's death," Wuttunee said.

"[Colten's death] has hurt us extremely. He had his whole life ahead of him," said Christine Denny, Colten's aunt. "We thank everybody. With support, it has given us the strength to endure this," she said of the gathering.

"That was my nephew but in our native ways, that was my son too."

A bail hearing is set for Stanley on Thursday afternoon at the Court of Queens Bench in Battleford, Saskatchewan. A preliminary hearing is set for September 13 at 11 AM.