The Unhealed Wound of Colten Boushie’s Death

The anniversary of Colten Boushie’s death is a stark reminder that the wounds inflicted by his killing and its aftermath still haven’t healed. For those close to him, every mention of his name in the news or online feels like reliving the trauma all over again.

Ten years on, the family is still grappling with the consequences of the events that unfolded on August 9, 2016. The killing of Colten Boushie by Gerald Stanley, a white farmer from Biggar, Saskatchewan, shocked and outraged Canadians nationwide. However, it also revealed deep-seated divisions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities in rural Saskatchewan.

The trial itself became a microcosm of the systemic injustices faced by Indigenous people in Canada’s justice system. The decision to exclude Indigenous-looking jury candidates, the framing of the investigation as a “theft-related” incident rather than a murder case, and the eventual not guilty verdict all contributed to a sense of outrage and betrayal.

For Debbie Baptiste, Colten’s mother, every mention of her son’s name is like a punch in the stomach. The hateful comments and slander that follow are a constant reminder that her son was seen as less than human by many in his community. “He said this world would get along if everybody just grabbed a good book and found a shaded tree to sit under to read it,” she remembers fondly, highlighting Colten’s gentle nature.

The case of Colten Boushie is not an isolated incident; rather, it is a symptom of a broader problem. Systemic racism that contributed to his death still pervades Canada’s justice system. The recent comments by Tory MLA Josh Guenter, referring to Gerald Stanley as a victim, demonstrate how far we have yet to go in acknowledging and addressing this issue.

It’s time for Canadians to confront the truth about our treatment of Indigenous people and the justice system that fails them. We must recognize the humanity in Colten Boushie and the countless others who have been marginalized and oppressed by systemic racism.

The impact of traumatic events like Colten Boushie’s death can be felt for generations to come. For Debbie Baptiste, every mention of her son’s name is a trigger that brings back memories she’d rather forget. The trauma inflicted on Indigenous families by the justice system is a wound that will take years to heal.

The trial of Gerald Stanley was a catastrophic failure of justice. The exclusion of Indigenous-looking jury candidates, the framing of the investigation as a “theft-related” incident, and the eventual not guilty verdict all contributed to a sense of outrage and betrayal. It’s clear that the justice system failed Colten Boushie and his family, and it continues to fail Indigenous people today.

Colten Boushie was never on trial, but in the court of public opinion, he often felt like a defendant. His humanity was constantly questioned by those who saw him as a “drunken Indian.” It’s time to recognize Colten Boushie and others like him as human beings deserving of dignity and respect.

The anniversary of Colten Boushie’s death is a reminder that we still have much work to do. We must confront the systemic racism that contributed to his death, and we must work towards creating a justice system that truly serves all Canadians. It’s time for us to reflect on our treatment of Indigenous people and acknowledge the painful truth that has been hidden in plain sight.

As long as the wounds inflicted by Colten Boushie’s death remain unhealed, Canada will never be able to move forward. We owe it to ourselves, to Colten’s family, and to the countless others who have been marginalized and oppressed by systemic racism to confront this truth and work towards a more just society.