#justiceforColtenBoushie by Taima Moeke-Pickering, Sheila Cote-Meek & Ann Pegoraro

What Judge and Justice system puts out there that you can kill any Indigenous person who walks on your property? Justified violence (Youngblood, 2008) is what the colonizers brought and still hide behind. Today GirlPowerEffect stands in solidarity with Indigenous peoples in Canada and acknowledges the deep systemic and ongoing colonial violence that is perpetuated in the justice system. Sexism and racism are twin evils of colonial violence that need to be dismantled. For many Indigenous women and women of colour, sexism and racism are intertwined in their everyday lived realities. GirlPowerEffect acknowledges all forms of resistance. Colonialism has four central dimensions. It concerns the land, it requires a specific structure of racist ideology, it is violent, and it is ongoing (Cote-Meek, 2014). There can be no doubt that something is terribly wrong in Canada when we witness the way in which Indigenous peoples are treated. The verdict by an all white jury in the death of Colten Boushie that found farmer Gerald Stanley not guilty of second degree murder contains all the dimensions of ongoing colonial violence. What this verdict conveys is that Indigenous peoples are not free to walk on their lands and enjoy freedom and justice like other citizens. Despite the fact that they are the original peoples of the land you have to ask yourself, how many murdered Indigenous peoples are failed by this justice system. Lets be clear! This is a prime example of settler ongoing colonial violence. Reconciliation cannot happen until the violence is addressed. Justified Violence, a master’s tool, informs colonization through civilization and progress. It gives power to the powerful to determine that their ways are superior therefore they become the architects of what is progress and who should be civilized. They apply this domination in all their systems such as education, health, economic and justice. These notions of superiority are upheld by their legal systems and their armies, and the police enforces them. This is what establishes social and legal order, it is a hierarchy to protect the oppressor against the oppressed. Therefore, they regulate and enforce the punishment. The current justice system failed and will continue to fail Indigenous peoples until we change it. And change it we must. When injustice becomes the law, resistance becomes necessary. Over the last 12 hours we have witnessed an amazing volume of Tweets by people, mainly Indigenous, expressing their grief, anger and outrage at the unjust verdict of Colten Boushie’s murderer. Given the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action that this Country, the Prime Minister and his government endorsed as well as the myriad of Institutes and Organizations that pledged their commitment, sadly, it is no wonder that Indigenous peoples today are tweeting that reconciliation is now meaningless for them. It is heartening to see so many people coming together and expressing outrage via social media, unifying at rallies and forming social action plans pushing for change. This mobilization and show of solidarity demonstrates a strong resistance against this unjust verdict, and also generally for the way Indigenous peoples are devalued and treated in this country. After working for so many years at trying to change systems that perpetuate colonialism and racism this unjust verdict gives us the fuel to work with even more vigour and energy to make a difference in our workplace and personal lives. The verdict may not be the right one, but the legacy to continue to fight for a justice system that embraces Indigenous peoples remains an important goal for us. We call upon our colleagues and allies to join us in dismantling racist, sexist and colonized systems in your areas. A good place to start as an ally is to attend anti-racism workshops and learn about Indigenous peoples. Embrace diversity and stand strong for a justice system that is equal and fair for Indigenous peoples. #not one more Indigenous life #much respect to the family and community of Colten Boushie