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RCMP commit to recommendations of Boushie review
A Woodpecker’s Day’ Work
Mother says Colten would be proud Staff Saskatchewan RCMP has issued a statement saying it commits to implementing the recommendations of the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission’s final report examining the RCMP’s investigation of the death of Colten Boushie The events following the tragic death of Colten Boushie impacted many in Saskatchewan and across Canada, the statement reads. “A young man’s life was tragically lost and our thoughts continue to be with Colten Boushie’s family and community,” it states. At a press conference Monday following the release of the report, Boushie’s mother, Debbie Baptiste, said, “Our family was never going to give up. We were not going to be swept away and treated such as less than human beings,” Debbie Baptiste told a news conference Monday. Baptiste said the report gives the family a small sense of justice. “If Colten could hear
me now, he’d be proud that we continued fighting and never gave up,” Baptiste said. Alvin Baptiste, Boushie’s uncle, told the news conference that the shooting, subsequent investigation and racism has been extremely difficult on family members and their community. Following the release of the report, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki said, “In February 2018, the RCMP asked the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission to conduct an independent review of RCMP employees’ actions as they executed their duties during the investigation into Colten Boushie’s death.” She continued, “The findings and recommendations made by the CRCC are important as they contribute to the enhancement of public confidence in the RCMP. We believe thorough, independent review of our actions plays a valuable role in ensuring our accountability and transparency. The RCMP remains committed to ensuring the service we provide meets the expectations of
the Indigenous communities and people we serve.” “Since receiving the interim reports, the Saskatchewan RCMP Senior Management Team has carefully reviewed the CRCC’s findings and recommendations and has committed to fully implementing all the recommendations,” said Saskatchewan RCMP Acting Commanding Officer, Chief Superintendent, Alfredo Bangloy. “We have implemented 16 of the 17 recommendations that fall within the authority of the Saskatchewan RCMP and we are on track to complete the remaining recommendation by April 1, 2021, which is when all Saskatchewan RCMP employees will have successfully completed the Cultural Awareness and Humility course.” As supported by the CRCC’s final report, the actions taken by the officers responding that day and the following days were done with the best of intentions; their priority was to ensure public safety and to complete a thorough homicide investigation and Continued on Page 5
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www.lskysd.ca Meota man charged with killing his wife
By Lisa Joy
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter / News-Optimist
A Meota man charged with killing his wife made his first court appearance March 19. Michael January MacKay,Ad 39, appeared by telephone in North Battleford Provincial Court. He is charged
with first-degree murder in the death of 38-year-old Cindy MacKay. Defence lawyer Nicholas Stooshinoff asked the court for a two-week adjournment saying he hasn’t received disclosure yet. Disclosure consists of the Crown’s case against the accused and usually includes search
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This photo of a pileated woodpecker was taken on Finlayson Island. Mature woods are favourite haunts for the pileated woodpecker which is the largest North American woodpecker. These woodpeckers eat mainly ants and other wood-boring insects and berries. They nest in hollow trees and have between three and eight eggs. Photo by Jim McLane
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warrants, the charging document, details of the offence, audio/video and transcribed witness statements, statements from the accused, expert reports, exhibits, private communication intercept authorizations, evidence, February A and criminal records of witnesses and the accused. Continued on Page 2
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