Alberta First Nation chief demands action after death of Indigenous man in Calgary police custody

The main of a southern Alberta First Nation is demanding a thorough, transparent probe into the decease of an Indigenous antheral successful constabulary custody.

Blood Tribe Chief Roy Fox says the decease of Jon Wells connected Sept. 17 aft a scuffle with constabulary astatine a Calgary hotel, has brought backmost memories of a nationalist enquiry successful the 1980s that “underscored the taste gap” betwixt his assemblage and police.

The enquiry saw the Blood Tribe talk retired against a increasing fig of unexplained deaths affecting Indigenous people.

“It is disheartening that we again find ourselves successful a akin concern and we are addressing these issues erstwhile again,” Fox said successful a caller online video statement.

“We volition beryllium filing a ceremonial ailment against the 3 officers progressive successful Mr. Wells’s decease and volition request a thorough and transparent investigation.”

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating the death. The constabulary watchdog has said officers were called to a disturbance astatine the Carriage House Hotel and Conference Centre.

Wells appeared dazed erstwhile helium was told to permission by an officer. The bureau said helium raised his hands and started to locomotion out, telling police, “I don’t privation to die.”

He was tackled to the crushed aft helium resisted an serviceman trying to drawback him, and was past punched successful the head, restrained and sedated, ASIRT said.

He was recovered to beryllium unresponsive by exigency crews and was declared dormant a abbreviated portion later.

“At nary constituent during the enactment had the antheral been identified, nor was helium ever told helium was being detained oregon nether arrest,” ASIRT said past week.

A constabulary spokeswoman has said the 3 officers progressive were placed connected a modular 30-day leave.

Fox said the Blood Tribe has connected with Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and the seat of Calgary’s constabulary committee and that some person shared concerns astir the death.

He said he’s hopeful akin deaths won’t hap successful the future.

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“Hopefully … different incidents passim Canada volition lessen erstwhile it comes to the symptom and decease that our radical endure astatine the hands of authority,” said Fox.

“They are expected to support us.”

Speaking connected her regular call-in vigor show, Premier Danielle Smith said her authorities is moving connected mounting up a telephone telephone with the main of the Assembly of First Nations, who has shown concern astir however galore Indigenous radical person died successful constabulary custody.

There person been 5 specified cases in Alberta in caller years, the premier said Saturday.

“Nobody likes erstwhile these kinds of situations occur,” she said.

“I don’t privation to prejudge the result until that (ASIRT) probe is complete. But if we person aggregate incidents, we request to instrumentality a person look and spot if there’s thing much we tin do.”

When asked astir calls for an autarkic probe by an extracurricular peculiar prosecutor, Smith said ASIRT is autarkic and she’s pleased with its work.

Wells’s aunt released a connection implicit the play connected behalf of his family, calling him a beloved and respected figure.

“Jon’s tragic and untimely decease has near a void successful the hearts of each who knew him,” Laverne Wells said.

She said helium was dedicated to his household and assemblage and that his emotion of horses and rodeo led him to go a well-known cowboy. In 2012, helium was named steer wrestling circuit champion for the Indian National Finals Rodeo.

“Jon volition beryllium dearly missed, but his tone volition unrecorded connected successful the hearts of those helium touched,” she said.