June 16 - 20: After our first successful camp-out at the legislature in Saskatoon, we brought our protest to Bessborough Park in Saskatoon. We had new signs which we set up for people to read. Monday and Tuesday it was Treaty Day and we shared the park with people coming to collect their $5 from the Department of Northern and Indian Affairs. Thursday night we were invited to take part in the vigil at the parking lot of St. Paul's nurses's residence, out in the hood.

The vigil was incredible -- despite being boycotted by the FSIN leadership. It was attended by people who walked with their strollers, heard the drums and came -- people who could not afford the busfare to go out to the more highly publicized events at Wanaskeywan and whose children have, at this time very little hope of ever attending the phenomenal First Nations University which opened in Regina on the week-end.

This was the first vigil since the winter of 2000 -- when Vice-Chief Lawrence Joseph called them off after promising that there would be monthly obsservances until justice was done regarding police treatment of aboriginal and poor non-aboriginal people.

Justice has not been done. The inquests are a joke. The inquest into Neil Stonechild's death is scheduled to take place in September at the same time as the trial in the Klassen/Kvello civil suit. The events which are photographed here (click on pictures to view the nest one) are just the beginning of our summer campaign leading up to these events. The issues with the Justice system go far beyond bad policing by a few cops. We handed out thousands of copies of our leaflet (below picture) which begins to explain the difference between community policing and law-and-order policing. These ideas are well received.

Community Policing vs. Law and Order Policing

Mayor Jim Maddin and Police Chief Russell Sabo advocate Community Policing. This method requires a force who's members are trained to see themselves as servers and protectors of the public. Enforcing the law is a small part of the job and becomes much easier when police see themselves as members of the community, not above it. In Saskatoon we have the framework for providing such service. Bringing in the mounties is not the answer. Getting rid of stubborn elements who preach and practice Law and Order policing is. A full public inquiry would identify the sources of the tragic mistakes that have plagued the City of Saskatoon for many years.

We do not say the whole of the department is corrupt. Rather we believe that there is a handful of bad apples that has infected and possibly rotted many others over time.
Darrell Night was a lucky man to have survived his winter "starlight tour". His case sparked a flame that must burn its course. His credible testimony helped to convict two guilty police officers. Chief Matthews stated on behalf of the police force that Darrell's case was an isolated one. We as citizens of Saskatoon knew better. Today we have been shown to be right. The Klassen/Kvello case was born in 1991 while Brian Dueck was just a Constable. He has since risen to Superintendent on the backs of 16 innocent people. The Martensville Scandal in 1991 was also proven to be false. Two prosecutors, Leslie Sullivan and Bruce Bauer continue to practice law without having to account for the 1.3 million dollars their malicious prosecutions cost the province so far. This we say is not justice.
Neil Stonechild ­ November 1990, died of hypothermia, last seen in police custody.
Lloyd Dustyhorn ­ January 2000, died of hypothermia, last seen in police custody.
Rodney Naistus ­ February 1999, died of hypothermia, last seen in police custody.
Darcy Ironchild ­ January 2000, died after being released from police custody.
1976 - a women is found to have been dropped off outside of city limits.
Darrell Night ­ 2000, survived hypothermia, he was a lucky man.
Keldon McMillan ­ May 2001, died dies after 16 bullets were fired at him by the hands of some members of the police force.
Melvin Bigsky ­ April 2001, was shot to death because he was belligerent, but unarmed.
Darrell Night - was belligerent and flipped the bird to two police officers, and almost killed because of this.
The police department and spokespersons want us citizens to believe that all the above cases of police abuse are isolated. This we say, is not true and warrants a public inquiry.
Darrel Night has yet to be compensated and apologized to publicly. The Klassens and Kvellos in the "Scandal of the Century" and the remaining Martensville have yet to receive compensation or an apology of any kind.
A full public inquiry into the Saskatoon Police Force must be held immediately without delay.

John Melenchuk | Lawrence Wegner | Neil Stonechild |