Tag Archives: Aboriginal

R v Thompson, 2021 SKPC 13

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After careful consideration of Gladue and FASD factors, an Indigenous offender found guilty of numerous weapons offences, was given a sentence of 73 months, with 23.5 months for enhanced credit, leaving 49.5 months going forward.

Indigenous Law Centre CaseWatch Blog

Mr. Thompson was charged with numerous weapons offences following a single incident in 2019, where he had in his possession a sawed off shotgun and several rounds of ammunition near downtown Regina. He was convicted on all eight of weapons related offences. At trial Mr. Thompson adamantly denied any knowledge of the sawed-off shotgun which he carried in his backpack. His girlfriend Ms. Peresien, who was also in custody on unrelated matters, testified that the gun was hers. None of their testimony was accepted by the Court. The Court found that the Crown proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and accordingly convicted him. Mr. Thompson’s admission at the sentencing, after two days of trial involving nine witnesses, numerous documents and countless hours of court time, and at which Mr. Thompson and his girlfriend apparently committed perjury, was disconcerting to the Court.

Mr. Thompson is 36 years of age. A comprehensive Gladue Report was filed with the Court which included details about his mother, who was from Sakimay First Nation, had attended residential schools and passed away in 2015. His father was from Little Pine First Nation and is currently living but in poor health. Mr. Thompson lived in numerous foster care homes periodically due to abuse from his mother, who drank excessively thereby he may suffer from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). He was physically abused at Residential Schools and his parents were drug dealers. He is himself a drug addict and has spent many years of his life in youth facilities, jails and penitentiaries. He has amassed 101 Criminal Code convictions. Nine of those were for violent offences including several assaults, an armed robbery, and an assault causing bodily harm. During his latest period of incarceration Mr. Thompson had started reading self-help books, which he claimed had significantly changed his attitude and perspective on life.

Mr. Thompson’s conduct in this matter clearly falls within the definition of a true crime. This was not an offence which is regulatory in nature such as in the case of a hunting rifle stored close to ammunition (R v Myrie, 2020 ONCJ 430). Sentencing courts must acknowledge the inherent danger of illegal firearms in our communities and send a message that the possession, transportation and use of illegal guns must not be tolerated (R v McKenzie, 2020 SKPC 31).

Mr. Thompson has significant Gladue factors and, although no formal diagnosis of FASD was presented to the Court, it is likely that he suffers from FASD. Enhanced at 1.5 – 1., Mr. Thompson will receive credit on the sentence of 23.5 months. Total time going forward is therefore 49.5 months. All concurrent time is unaffected by the pre-trial credit. Pursuant to the Gladue Report, this Court is recommending that Mr. Thompson be considered for the Willow Cree Healing Lodge and the programming it offers.

R v Blackduck, 2021 NWTSC 8

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Sentence appeal granted. An Indigenous accused who pleaded guilty to two counts of uttering threats, at separate times and places, had his sentence reduced to seven months as it appropriately factors in his considerable Gladue factors. The probationary aspect is undisturbed so he can find appropriate supports and services to address his alcoholism, homelessness and illiteracy.

Indigenous Law Centre CaseWatch Blog

The Appellant, Mr. Blackduck, a Tłı̨chǫ man, pleaded guilty in Territorial Court to two counts of uttering threats, occurring at separate times and places. This matter is an appeal of his sentence. One incident involved the RCMP in Yellowknife when Mr. Blackduck was being arrested. Mr. Blackduck was subject to a probation order which, among other things, required him to remain a certain distance away from a Yellowknife liquor store. The RCMP officers were conducting a patrol when they saw him near the liquor store and warned him to move away. Mr. Blackduck, who was highly intoxicated at the time, was extremely aggressive and uttered violent threats even after he was subdued in the patrol car. The other incident happened at the Northern Store in Behchokǫ̀, where a store employee asked Mr. Blackduck to leave because he was banned from the location. He threatened to kill her and said he knew where she lived.

Mr. Blackduck has significant Gladue factors, and at the time of the sentencing hearing, he was homeless. When Mr. Blackduck is in Yellowknife, he stays at the men’s shelter and spends considerable time on the streets. When he is in Behchokǫ̀, which is where his family is, he stays either at the shelter or with his sister-in-law. Mr. Blackduck is unable to read and write in English, but has a strong connection to his Indigenous culture and was raised in a traditional background. However, substance abuse and violence were prevalent in his home growing up. Although Mr. Blackduck had made attempts to remedy his illiteracy, his housing instability posed great challenges, as he had no place to shower, wash his clothing or store his school books and supplies. There have been educational programs available to him while he has been in custody in the past, but he found it too embarrassing and did not want other prisoners to know he was illiterate.

With respect to the threat he made to the store clerk in Behchokǫ̀, Mr. Blackduck’s acknowledges that although he was banned from the store at the time, however on the day he made the threat, he needed money for food and the Northern Store was the only place where he could cash his government cheque. The alternative was to hitchhike to Yellowknife. When given his own opportunity to address the sentencing court, Mr. Blackduck expressed remorse for his conduct and spoke of his alcohol addiction.

Trial courts have wide discretion in the sentences they impose and that the standard of review on sentence appeals is a deferential one. An appellate court should only interfere with the sentence where: 1) the sentence is demonstrably unfit; 2) there is an error in principle; or 3) there is a failure to consider relevant sentencing factors (R v Shropshire, [1995] 4 SCR 227; R v Proulx, 2000 SCC 5, [2000] 1 SCR 61; and R v Lacasse, 2015 SCC 64 [“Lacasse”]). Where there is an error in principle, a failure to consider a relevant factor or an erroneous consideration of an aggravating or mitigating factor, appellate intervention will only be justified where it appears from the decision that the error had an effect on the sentence (Lacasse).

The Court is unable to conclude from the record that the sentencing judge adequately considered Mr. Blackduck’s Gladue factors in her sentencing analysis, as she did not ignore Mr. Blackduck’s Gladue factors entirely. The sentence imposed was within the acceptable range for uttering threats in the circumstances. Mr. Blackduck is addicted to alcohol. When he uses alcohol, he often engages in behaviours which lead to criminal charges and convictions. That is abundantly clear from his extensive criminal record.

However, Mr. Blackduck is unemployed, illiterate and homeless. He lacks resources to meet his basic needs and has nowhere near the support he needs to get a foothold to try and address his alcohol addiction. He does not even have the basic necessities in life because he has never really had a chance to attain them. He has faced systemic barriers and hardships his entire life, exacerbated by involvement in the criminal justice system. He is busy just surviving. This is a vicious cycle which diminishes his ability to make appropriate decisions about his conduct and to learn from the penal consequences of past conduct. It explains, to a large extent, his lengthy criminal record. All of this, in turn, diminishes his moral culpability that must be reflected in the sentence.

R v Angus, 2021 SKQB 13

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The Court determined a global sentence of 19 years for an Indigenous accused who was found guilty of 6 out of 7 counts of indictment that included home invasion, sexual assault of a 14 year old, and discharge of a firearm. He has credit for remand resulting in 15.65 years to be served in a federal penitentiary, to ensure the availability of appropriate programming.

Indigenous Law Centre – CaseWatch Blog

William David Angus, an Indigenous man from Thunderchild First Nation, was found guilty on six of the seven counts of the indictment, including entering the J. home with a rifle, sexually assaulting A.J., the 14-year-old, fleeing the scene, and shooting at the father, C.J., who was by then in pursuit (R v Angus, 2020 SKQB 32 [“Angus Conviction”]).

Following the conviction, an order was made for a pre-sentence report [“PSR”], with particular consideration of Gladue factors (R v Gladue, [1999] 1 SCR 688 [“Gladue”]; R v Ipeelee, 2012 SCC 13, [2012] 1 SCR 433 [“Ipeelee”]). Upon changes of counsel, and lengthy delays in receiving a  Gladue Report, a report on was filed and further information was outlined in a letter from the Report writer. In her submissions, it was emphasized the impact of intergenerational abuse and the tragic circumstances of Mr. Angus’ mother’s life. The supplemental PSR, provided background regarding the day school run by the Anglican Church on Onion Lake First Nation, which Mr. Angus attended as a young child. Mr. Angus also describes a lack of a sense of home or community and a pattern of transiency. Mr. Angus’ history and personal circumstances have been extremely difficult.

The significant harm a child experiences as a result of sexual violence and a high degree of moral blameworthiness attached to sexual violence against children are aggravating factors (R v Friesen, 2020 SCC 9). Adolescent girls, such as the complainant in this case, are at particular risk for victimization. Accordingly, sentences must not be disproportionately low. A.J.’s age and the significant impact on both her and her family are also deemed aggravating factors. Further, the presence of the firearm during the assault coupled with A.J.’s young age bring s. 272(2)(a.2) of the Criminal Code into effect. This makes Mr. Angus liable “to imprisonment for life and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of five years”. An additional aggravating factor in the context of the home invasion is mandated by s. 348.1 of the Criminal Code.

Mr. Angus would benefit from the programming available in the penitentiary, but the attitude he has exhibited is concerning. In contrast, Mr. Angus was just shy of 43 years of age when the crimes for which he is now being sentenced took place. He is now 45 years old. He also has a criminal record which includes, among other things, prior convictions under s. 348(1)(b) for break and enter and commission of an indictable offence therein. Mr. Angus’ focus over the months since his conviction has been on the pursuit of a Gladue Report, even to the point of being uncooperative with the PSR writer, as noted in Angus Gladue. Mr. Angus’ failure to acknowledge both his responsibility for his actions and his need for help in addressing the underlying issues is of concern. It would be beneficial and rehabilitative for him to avail himself of programming.

R v Leis, 2021 ONCJ 86

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After Gladue factors were considered, a young Indigenous woman was sentenced to three years in a penitentiary for causing an explosion from colliding into a home while driving under the influence.

Indigenous Law Centre – CaseWatch Blog

Daniella Leis, pleaded guilty to four counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm contrary to s 320.14(2) of the Criminal Code. Driving with blood alcohol being twice the legal limit, she caused an explosion in the historic East Village of London when she severed a gas line as a result of her vehicle colliding with a home.

The accused is a 24 year old Indigenous woman, and is a registered member of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. A Gladue Report was prepared. There was a history of family members who attended residential schools, which resulted in an upbringing wrought with substance abuse and domestic violence.

Despite her Gladue factors, Ms Leis drove from Kitchener to London to attend a concert knowing that she would be consuming alcohol. Given the amount of alcohol consumed, as well as consuming marijuana, it is hard to see how she mistakenly believed she was in any condition to drive. This decision risked the lives and safety of others. Ms. Leis has high moral blameworthiness in this matter, although not as high as it otherwise would be in the absence of Gladue factors. She is fortunate that no one was killed as result of her conduct. Thereby, Ms. Leis is sentenced to three years in the penitentiary, concurrent on all matters.

Interlake Reserves Tribal Council Inc et al v The Government of Manitoba, 2020 MBCA 126

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Motions made by the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Assembly of First Nations to intervene in an appeal were dismissed after the Court found that there was insufficient basis to grant the motions. Both parties failed to persuade the Court to find that their submission were useful and different from the immediate parties in a way that wouldn’t unnecessarily expand the appeal. The Manitoba Métis Federation also requested an expansion of time to file supporting documents, which was granted by the Court given its incidental nature.

Indigenous Law Centre – CaseWatch Blog

By way of background, the defendant, the Government of Manitoba, has appealed an order granting interlocutory injunctive relief preventing it from carrying out further work on a road in order to take action on a proposed flood management system in the Interlake region of Manitoba. This interlocutory injunction relief comes as a response to a motion by the plaintiffs, which consist of the Interlake Reserves Tribal council, as well as several First Nations within the area, who alleged that this development of the land would be an infringement on the exercise of their Indigenous and treaty rights. The defendant denies this infringement of rights. The hearing of this appeal is set for February 2021.

The Manitoba Métis Federation [“MMF”] and the Assembly of First Nations [“AFN”] seek to intervene in this appeal. As well, the MMF also requests an extension of time to file its supporting affidavit and memorandum of submissions on the intervention motion. The plaintiffs consent to the motions, while the defendant is opposed.

The Court dealt first with the MMF’s motion to extend time. The MMF filed its motion to intervene within 30 days after the defendant filed its notice of appeal. However, counsel for the MMF failed to file the supporting affidavit and memorandum of submissions at least four days before the initial hearing date and because of this, the motion to intervene was not done in a timely manner. In assessing whether or not an extension of time should be granted to the MMF, the Court considered that the delay is brief, and does not create prejudice to any party. As a result, the Court required that the extension of time to the MMF be granted.

The relevant case law states that an intervener should have either a direct interest in the outcome of the appeal or a special expertise or unique perspective relating to the subject matter (R v Morgentaler, [1993] 1 SCR 462). In applying this case law with the specifics of AFN’s motion to intervene, the Court found that much of the AFN’s submissions duplicated those of the plaintiffs or were not relevant to the issues before the Court. Given this, the Court was not persuaded that the AFN would provide submissions useful and different from those of the plaintiffs and dismissed the AFN’s intervention motion. Similarly, with regard to the MMF’s motion to intervene, the Court was not persuaded that the MMF’s submissions were useful or different from the immediate parties and would unnecessarily expand the appeal. Further, the Count also stated that the MMF did not have a direct interest in the outcome of the appeal, as language used by the MMF was overly vague and inconsistent in stating their direct interest in the outcome of the appeal. As a result, the Court also dismissed the MMF’s intervention motion.

Bangloy v Canada (AG), 2021 FC 60

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Application dismissed. An Indigenous family alleged that their education benefits were denied as retaliation for previous complaints the family had lodged against Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, and for discrimination based on race, or national or ethnic origin.

Indigenous Law Centre CaseWatch Blog

Thirty years ago, Ms. Bangloy’s mother requested from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada’s [“INAC”] predecessor, Indian Affairs and Northern Development [“IAND”],  reimbursements of Ms. Bangloy’s tuition fees at a private school in British Columbia. The family argued that the costs were reimbursable under the terms of Treaty 11. IAND’s position was that education expenses could be claimed under the Indian Act, but only for children living on reserve, which Ms. Bangloy was not. The Court sided with IAND, finding that Treaty 11’s terms were confined to the geographical area of the treaty (Beattie v Canada (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development), [1998] 1 FC 104, [“Beattie”]).

This matter deals with the decisions arising from a human rights complaint initiated by Ms. Bangloy and her family. The family launched the complaint after alleging discrimination on the basis of race or national or ethnic origin by INAC for their failure to provide Ms. Bangloy and her children with information regarding education benefits. They also maintained that INAC denied them these education benefits in question as retaliation for previous complaints of discrimination the family had lodged against INAC in Beattie.

The Tribunal found that there was no connection between INAC’s alleged failure to provide Ms. Bangloy with information about obtaining educational benefits and her race or ethnic or national origin. Therefore, she had not made out a claim of discrimination. With regard to the education funding issue in general, the Tribunal found that the same family was raising the same issue that had already been decided by the Federal Court in Beattie. In respect of the complaints of retaliation, the Tribunal found that the existence of a previous complaint was not a factor that influenced INAC’s alleged failure to provide education benefits. Therefore, there was no retaliation involved.

Ms. Bangloy’s application for judicial review required the Court to consider the Tribunal’s conclusions and whether or not they were reasonable. The Court found that the Tribunal’s conclusions that Ms. Bangloy had not made out a claim of discrimination in respect of annuity payments or information about educational benefits was reasonable given the absence of evidence of a connection between INAC’s position and Ms. Bangloy’s race, or national or ethnic origin. The Court concluded that the Tribunal reasonably found that the issue of entitlement to education benefits had already been decided by the Federal Court in Beattie. The Tribunal reasonably concluded that INAC’s conduct was not retaliatory. The Court dismissed this application for judicial review.

R v Saddleback, 2020 ABPC 168

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An Indigenous man with significant Gladue factors that diminished some of his moral blameworthiness, was given a global sentence of three years and three months imprisonment for a sexual assault and assault on his domestic partner, as well as for breaching a no-contact order.

Indigenous Law Centre – CaseWatch Blog

In 2020, Mr. Saddleback was found guilty after trial on one count of assault, contrary to s 266 and one count of sexual assault, contrary to s 271 of the Criminal Code (R v Saddleback, 2020 ABPC 168). The complainant was his domestic partner. Following his conviction, Mr. Saddleback entered guilty pleas to three other charges of breaching a court order, contrary to s 145(5)(b). The issue in this matter, is the determination of a fit sentence.

The complainant and the accused were in a domestic relationship but had been living separate and apart for a period of time. The accused returned to reside with the complainant in quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in the early hours of the night, the accused committed sexual assault that included non-consensual vaginal penetration and physically biting the complainant in varying places, that took many weeks to heal. It was only by escaping to a neighbor’s house and a subsequent call to the police did the assualt end hours later. A no-contact Order was issued under s 516(2) following the accused’s arrest prohibiting him from having any contact with the complainant. However, the accused telephoned the complainant from the Calgary Remand Centre. When the complainant declined to accept the call, Mr. Saddleback proceeded to call her several more times that day.

Viewed as a whole, the conduct of the accused in the case at bar constituted a grave violation of the complainant’s bodily integrity, resulting likely in serious emotional and psychological harm, as there was no victim impact statement submitted. This finding is consistent with the highly intrusive and violent nature of the sexual assault, the complainant’s testimony that she begged the accused to stop, and from her demeanor in court when describing the assault.

Mr. Saddleback is a 53-year-old Indigenous man. He was born in Wetaskiwin, and is the second eldest of eight siblings. Both his parents are now deceased. Growing up he witnessed physical abuse, as well as drug and alcohol consumption within the family beginning at an early age. He was apprehended by Child and Family Services on numerous occasions on and off between the ages of 3 and 12. He describes his experiences with the “white” foster families as varying from severe violence to one that was “loving” and had him involved in numerous organized sports. At the age of twelve, he moved back to Hobbema with his mother and sister, and did not return to foster care. Mr. Saddleback reports that he first consumed alcohol at the age of six, and tried marijuana at age seven. He had access to drugs and alcohol through his siblings and cousins, and was drinking regularly by the age of 14.

Mr. Saddleback has a grade 11 education. He reports that three generations of his family attended Residential Schools. Mr. Saddleback reports losing a number of close family members to violence, suicide and overdose. According to the Gladue report, Mr. Saddleback was not present for the births of any of his three biological children due to being incarcerated. He states he received no help for his FASD condition, and had to learn to manage the disorder on his own. Mr. Saddleback suffers from Antisocial and Borderline Personality Disorders. He has an extensive criminal record with over 90 adult convictions (present offences included) dating back to 1984 with few gaps in between.

The crime committed by Mr. Saddleback is serious. The harm to the complainant is significant, as is the harm to the community in undermining people’s sense of security and safety in their own homes. Mr. Saddleback has nine prior convictions for breaching different types of court orders, including one conviction for contempt of court. The current breaches (which were put in place to protect the complainant) were deliberate, and committed within a day of his arrest. All that being said, Mr. Saddleback presents with significant Gladue factors, which, when viewed through the lens of normal human experience, can be presumed to have contributed to his long history of criminal behaviour, present offences included. For that, his moral blameworthiness can be viewed as somewhat diminished, thereby a global sentence of three years and three months imprisonment would be a just and proportionate sentence.

R v Runions, 2021 ABQB 67

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Although Gladue factors reduced an Indigenous offender’s overall blameworthiness, it was not enough to persuade the Court that he is not a risk to public safety or can be managed in the community. He is designated a dangerous offender and sentenced to detention in a penitentiary for an indeterminate period.

Indigenous Law Centre – CaseWatch Blog

In 2019, Dillion Richard Runions pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault, contrary to s 268 of the Criminal Code, and a further count of breaching an undertaking given to a police officer, contrary to s 145 (5.1). The aggravated assault consisted of Mr. Runion, who was unprovoked, slamming a machete into the neck of his unsuspecting victim. This vicious attack was nearly fatal with the victim surviving only because of timely medical intervention. At the time of the machete attack Mr. Runions was bound by the terms of an undertaking given to a police officer, which stipulated that Mr. Runions should not be in possession of a weapon. Both offences occurred in 2017.

The Crown brough an application to designate Mr. Runions a dangerous offender and to be given an indeterminate sentence (R v Corbiere, [1995] OJ No 938; R v Bedard, 2009 ONCA 678; R v Gulliver, 2018 ABCA 387; R v Neve, 1999 ABCA 206; and R v Lyons, [1987] 2 SCR 309). Part of the prospective assessment of dangerousness, is answering the question of whether the behaviour is such that the pattern of conduct can be said to be substantially or pathologically intractable (R v Boutilier, 2017 SCC 64).

Mr. Runions spoke of a childhood history which included general family dysfunction, poverty, domestic violence, maternal substance abuse, abandonment, neglect, placement in foster care, and a chaotic life involving frequent moves and school changes. According to a Gladue report, Mr. Runions indicated that one of his placements involved a Métis family, and he was exposed to his Métis heritage, traditions, and cultural practices. Mr. Runions said he was sexually abused from a young age, and that he was sexually assaulted by one of his mother’s boyfriends and by a foster parent.

Mr. Runions told the Gladue report writer that he fled a group home at age 16 and joined a street gang called “Deuce’s of Central”. He said that he resided with gang affiliates until his first incarceration at 19, and then dropped out of school, consumed alcohol, used cocaine, trafficked in illegal substances, and engaged in negative and violent behaviour. Mr. Runions reported a sporadic work history including having worked as a cribber and a drywaller, his average length of employment was under six months, and his longest period of employment was two years. Mr. Runions reported that he was diagnosed as being bipolar disorder in 2005, depression and anxiety at 18 years old, and post-traumatic stress disorder in 2009. He also reported auditory hallucinations if he did not take various medications.

The quality and strength of the evidence of past and future events, together with the expert opinion concerning those events, demonstrates that it is likely Mr. Runions will cause death or injury through his failure to restrain his behaviour in the future. Mr. Runions has not yet received nor exhausted all treatment options that are available to him. In most cases through no fault of his own, Mr. Runions remains untreated in relation to some of his most pressing treatment needs. It is also notable that Mr. Runions, who has demonstrated a recently renewed interest with respect to his Indigenous background (having previously self-identified with Buddhism and later as a Muslim), at least while incarcerated, could elect to be placed within a separate multi-target stream such as the ICPM Multi-Target Program which emphasizes Indigenous healing through traditional and cultural means, and importantly and supportively permits access to Elders for guidance and support.

Unfortunately, Mr. Runions cannot be trusted and his persistent disingenuous presentation makes treatment functionally impossible. It is also highly likely that Mr. Runions will resume gang-affiliations once released from custody. There is no suggestion in the evidence that he has ever succeeded in divesting himself (long-term) from his gang-lifestyle while not in a structured custodial setting. Mr. Runions acknowledged that he was still at the top of the pyramid when he was asked about his gang connections.

Mr. Runions has a very high risk for general recidivism and for violently reoffending. His Gladue factors does reduce his overall blameworthiness, but they do little to change the obvious gravity of the grave circumstances of the predicate offence, and the fact the Mr. Runions violently injured and endangered the life of three people in approximately a one-month period. The Gladue considerations do not persuade the Court that Mr. Runions’ risk to public safety can be controlled or managed in the community. Mr. Runions is a dangerous offender and he is sentenced to detention in a penitentiary for an indeterminate period. Given the circumstances, including the past criminal record, a fit and proper sentence in relation to the conviction under s 145(5.1) of the Criminal Code is 6 months imprisonment.

R v Papequash, 2021 ONSC 727

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Application granted. An Indigenous applicant has met their onus on judicial review, as the Justice of the Peace made an error in law by failing to consider Gladue principles at the bail hearing. The applicant will be released on their own recognizance in the amount of $500, and be supervised by the Toronto Bail Program.

Indigenous Law Centre – CaseWatch Blog

The Applicant, Deeandra Papequash (“they/them” preferred pronouns), was denied bail in 2018, and seeks review of this denial of bail. The Applicant is facing four separate sets of charges that involves assaultive and threatening behaviour, petty theft, possessing or using a knife, and failing to follow conditions of bail. They had been released on bail before, on these charges and more than once. But when all the charges came again before the Justice of the Peace on December 18th, 2018, after they had again been arrested on new charges, those releases came to an end. The Justice of the Peace did not release the Applicant again, and detained Deeandra Papequash on the secondary ground. The Justice of the Peace made a serious mistake in his decision. There is also a new and material change in the Applicant’s situation.

Deeandra Papequash is 34 years old, is mixed Cree and Saulteaux, and a member of Key First Nation. A Gladue report which had been previously prepared, was given to the Justice of the Peace. It describes the horrible childhood endured by the Applicant, including sexual abuse, physical abuse and discrimination at being a two-spirited person. The Applicant suffers from many mental illnesses including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, ADD, PTSD, anxiety, depression, as well as alcohol and drug addiction. There was also involvement in gang activity in Regina and long periods of jail. Though the Applicant currently stands charged with assaulting their intimate partner, she remains supportive.

Given Deeandra Papequash’s lived experiences as an Indigenous person, the question of their release required a careful application of the Gladue principles (R v Gladue, [1999] 1 SCR 688), which the Justice of the Peace did not do. Failure to consider Gladue principles at a bail hearing is a serious error of law (R v Robinson, 2009 ONCA 205).

Deeandra Papequash has been living precariously, including in shelters. At the bail hearing, it was hoped that secure and stable subsidized housing would become available sometime soon. This housing opportunity is now available through the COTA organization, where a one bedroom awaits them, but this offer is time limited. If the Applicant does not move into the apartment within three weeks, COTA will no longer hold it for them, which is a material change in circumstances. At the bail hearing this housing had not yet crystalized. The stable supportive housing is now real and this material change is significant. The law permits the Court to consider anew whether Deeandra Papequash has met their onus on this bail review regarding the primary, secondary, and tertiary ground for release.

The Applicant proposed a Bail Program release and the Bail Program has approved them. Given the Applicant’s life trajectory bent by trauma, the focus regarding bail should not be on whether a surety is available to supervise them. Rather it should be on whether supports can be put into place to meet secondary ground concerns. The criminal record, which is bad, must also be seen through a Gladue lens. While this does not extinguish the secondary ground concerns, it provides an explanation and a context for this criminal record. A number of organizations and professionals with skill, experience, and compassion have offered support if Deeandra Papequash is released on bail. They know the Applicant’s weaknesses as well as strengths, emphasizing that jail is not a good place for someone like Deeandra Papequash.

Secure housing can be crucial to the rehabilitation and treatment of people with mental health problems, addictions, and other challenges born from the effects of discrimination and marginalization. It provides the steady and firm ground for people to climb out of poverty. Stable housing means stable people, thereby reducing conflict with the law and better protecting the community. Deeandra Papequash has never received such intensive wraparound services before. Deeandra Papequash has met their onus and will be released on their own recognizance in the amount of $500. They will be supervised by the Toronto Bail Program. They will abide by the conditions set out by the Toronto Bail Program and the conditions proposed by the Applicant including no contact, treatment, and counselling.

In The Matter Of A Hearing Under The Child and Family Services Act, Ss, 2021 SKQB 2

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It is in the best interests of a First Nations child to stay with the current caregivers who are pursuing an adoption plan. Although it is encouraged that her First Nations paternal grandmother be in contact and included in her upbringing, the grandmother’s custody application is dismissed. The child should not have her living arrangements disrupted, as she is loved and cared for; one caregiver is a member of the First Nation; and there is cultural continuity.

Indigenous Law Centre CaseWatch Blog

T.L., who turned nine years in 2021, was first apprehended in the fall of 2015 by the Ministry of Social Services and then subsequently transferred to the Yorkton Tribal Council Child and Family Services Inc [“YTCCFS”]. Following her apprehension, she began living with her grandfather, M.S. on White Bear First Nations. M.S. had T.L. enrolled at the local playschool and called upon his sisters from time to time to assist with her care. Nevertheless, M.S. had concerns raising her by himself, thereby D.L. and C.Y., her current caregivers, welcomed T.L. as their daughter and do not differentiate between her and their other children. M.S. continues to play an active role in T.L.’s life, and she continues to have frequent visits with her grandfather. YTCCFS now requests a permanent order pursuant to The Child and Family Services Act [“CFSA”] with respect to T.L. with the intent of pursuing an adoption plan with her current caregivers.

A.D. is T.L.’s paternal grandmother. A.D. had no knowledge that T.L. was her granddaughter until her son informed her of the DNA results in the summer of 2018. Upon learning of T.L., A.D. contacted YTCCFS. A.D. was first introduced at D.L.’s and C.Y.’s home. A.D. was aware that YTCCFS supported T.L. remaining with D.L. and C.Y., but she was opposed to that arrangement and that year applied for an order finding her to be a person of sufficient interest, custody and access to T.L. A.D. asks for custody pursuant to The Children’s Law Act, [“CLA”] or, alternatively for T.L. to be placed in her care as a person of sufficient interest pursuant to the CFSA.

As T.L. is First Nations and a member of White Bear First Nations, consideration of her best interests requires thought be given to her cultural, linguistic, religious and spiritual upbringing and heritage, among other things. Regardless of which Act is applied, T.L.’s best interests must be considered. Some of the factors to be considered under the CFSA are similar to those found in the CLA but there are additions (Saskatchewan (Minister of Social Services) v S(EK) (1996), 146 Sask R 46 (QB)). Bill C-92 sets out principles which underly the legislation, including the best interests of the child and cultural continuity. It is required to the extent possible, that these factors be construed in a manner consistent with the law of the Indigenous group. White Bear First Nations “opposes permanent wardship orders and adoption orders involving non-[A]boriginal foster parent(s) when there is a White Bear First Nations band member(s) or other First Nations individual(s) or family member(s) able and willing to care for the child(ren) in question” (White Bear First Nations, Band Council Resolution).

T.L., through her grandfather, M.S., has been exposed to her cultural and spiritual heritage. It was through M.S. that T.L. was introduced to D.L. and C.Y. D.L. and C.Y. are part of M.S.’s family. T.L. developed strong relationships with D.L. and C.Y., whom she now calls “mom and dad”, and her siblings Z.L. and G.L., who reside in the home with her. D.L. is a member of White Bear First Nations, and although his spouse, C.Y. is Caucasian, she encourages T.L. in cultural activities. Her sister, T.H., who she had never met prior to M.S. taking her on a visit in 2017, now resides in D.L.’s and C.Y.’s home with her and have grown close. Bill C-92 specifically speaks to the need for stability. T.L. has had a connection to M.S. her entire life and has maintained that connection though she now lives with D.L. and C.Y. She is settled in their home and enjoys her school and friendships.

It is unfortunate that the parties are in conflict and compelled to speak ill of the other and find fault in the other’s care of T.L. Both A.D. and M.S. are residential school survivors, and both turned to alcohol in early adulthood. Both rediscovered their cultural and spiritual heritage following their commitments to sobriety. Even if they are not up to A.D.’s standards, it is unclear why A.D. as a grandmother and Elder, particularly when she lives minutes away, could not provide additional guidance and input respecting cultural heritage without the necessity of having T.L. live with her. The current care arrangement with D.L., C.Y. and M.S. is in keeping with the tradition of family stepping up to care. A.D. is a blood relative and is also family but until two years ago, she was a stranger.

The relationship most important to T.L. is her relationship with M.S. The parenting plan will secure that relationship. Both D.L. and M.S. are members of White Bear First Nations and an ongoing relationship with the community is therefore ensured. M.S., D.L. and C.Y. will also ensure cultural continuity and expose T.L. to Indigenous culture and heritage. T.L. can only benefit should A.D. choose to supplement that exposure through her own involvement with her granddaughter. YTCCFS was of the view that T.L. could only benefit from relationships with both her maternal and paternal sides of the family. The plan is also consistent with the White Bear First Nations’ band council resolution as T.L. will remain with a member of White Bear First Nations, D.L. YTCCFS should be permitted to pursue the plan as recommended as it will ensure T.L. has the stability she requires and the ongoing love of family. It is in T.L.’s best interests that she be permanently committed to the Ministry with a view to pursuing the adoption by D.L. and C.Y .