(FSIN/Facebook livestream)

By paNOW Staff

CALLS FOR JUSTICE

‘Do something!’ First Nations leaders demand change in wake of infant’s death

Mar 2, 2022 | 3:11 PM

An example of blatant discrimination and systemic racism.

Those were just some of the terms expressed by the Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Tuesday following the death of a 13-month-old boy in Prince Albert last month.

Chief Bobby Cameron and executives with the FSIN and the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) held a press conference to demand change in the justice system and the local police force.

On February 10, Prince Albert police were called to the home in the West Hill area around 5:44 a.m. for a complaint of a family dispute. Officers took one person into custody.

Officers returned to the same home around 11:00 a.m. after receiving a report of a homicide of a child.

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Once police arrived, they found the child dead and arrested the father, Kaij Brass, 24. Brass appeared in court on Monday and will make his next appearance on March 14.

The Saskatchewan Public Complaints Commission is currently investigating but the FSIN and PAGC are calling for an independent inquiry into the police response and the termination of those who responded.

“John Bergen and Greg Dionne, do something!,” said Cameron. “Terminate these guys (officers) without pay. They are as much to blame for this young boy dying as this father.”

Cameron added if Police Chief Bergen is not willing to make changes, he should resign saying “if you don’t want to do something right for the people of Prince Albert, which are First Nations, then get the hell out of here.”

The Chief of Prince Albert police, John Bergen, responded to the press conference around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, saying an investigation into the police response has been ordered, adding trust has been broken in the community as a result of this incident.

He said the Police Service is working to rebuild that trust.

During his passioned speech Cameron said the mother on multiple occasions pleaded with officers at the home, in the police car and in the prison cell to watch over her baby.

The mother, Kyla Frenchman, was overcome with emotion and couldn’t speak when given the opportunity to during a press conference in Saskatoon.

In a media release she said her son was a happy baby and always smiling.

“He was adorable and had big squishy cheeks. We used to watch Blue’s Clues together and laugh. No mother should ever have to go through this. No mother should have to feel this pain.”

The FSIN and PAGC said they carried out their own investigation and said the mother was fleeing a domestic violence situation and when officers arrived, they assumed her fear was alcohol related and arrested her for intoxication, ignoring her pleas for help.

They said there was no welfare check performed on the baby, nor was the Ministry of Social Services brought in for his protection.

Chief James Snakeskin of Thunderchild First Nation where the family is from also spoke on the death, saying it has affected not only his community but other First Nations.

“This is plain racism and it’s hard to see this child’s life was lost because of that. This has traumatized many people and it’s sad to know things like this are still happening.”

PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte believes this baby’s death could have been prevented.

“Mobile Crisis should have been called to accompany them to make sure the child was safe. Supports should have also been given to the mother where her and her baby could have been taken to a safe shelter. What should have been basic policies and procedures that help to protect our vulnerable people in danger were completely disregarded by PAPS, and we are demanding to know why.”

“We want to see justice, first of all for this family,” added FSIN Vice Chief Edward “Dutch” Lerat. “We want to see an overhaul and review on how the Prince Albert police conduct their business. Getting back to community policing and prevention as opposed to arresting and detention.”

Lerat also asked for the Provincial Minister of Corrections, Christine Tell, to intervene on this matter. He expressed his frustrations in dealing with the ministry saying calls for change following three in-custody deaths last fall in Prince Albert have gone unanswered.

Questions from reporters were limited to just two following the press conference out of respect for the family, stating they wouldn’t have the answers to all questions given the baby’s death is still being investigated.

When asked why an independent investigation is being sought while another is ongoing, the FSIN said in an email, “we are calling for an independent police investigation with First Nations oversight. We respect the ongoing PCC investigation.”

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow