Family of Colten Boushie says stereotypes and falsehoods still haunt his memory ten years later
Ten years after Colten Boushie's 2016 killing, his family says they still face hateful stereotypes and misinformation whenever his case resurfaces.
On August 9, 2016, Colten Boushie was fatally shot in a field near Red Pheasant Cree Nation, and his body lay exposed for a day while the RCMP investigated. White farmer Gerald Stanley was tried and found not guilty of second-degree murder or manslaughter in 2018, a verdict that sparked nationwide outrage. A later RCMP oversight commission concluded the police had racially discriminated against Boushie's mother, Debbie Baptiste, and mishandled evidence.
The family recounts ongoing harassment, such as MLA Josh Guenter labeling Stanley a victim, and persistent online slurs that portray Boushie as a criminal. Lawyer Eleanore Sunchild emphasizes the need to present Boushie as a loving, educated young man rather than a stereotype. Debbie and William Baptiste continue to advocate for justice and encourage others to resist similar oppression.
Why it matters
The case highlights enduring racism in Canada's justice system and its impact on Indigenous families.
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