The RCMP needs to do more when it comes to investigating First Nations deaths in the Hazeltons, says an official with the Gitxsan Treaty Society.
It鈥檚 the latest call for more police transparency by Indigenous leaders and this time arises from the June death of a young woman on the Hagwilget reserve that her mother deems suspicious.
Jennifer Gunanoot has already held one demonstration in a call for more police action concerning the death of her daughter Kaylie Gunanoot, 29. She was found dead June 17 in a house on the Hagwilget reserve.
In a letter to RCMP North District Chief Superintendent Warren Brown, Gitxsan Treaty Society Executive Director Gordon Sebastian on behalf of the hereditary Gitxsan Huwilp Government called for a 鈥渢horough and proper investigation鈥� into Gunanoot鈥檚 death while evidence remains fresh.
The Village of Hagwilget has also extended its unconditional support to Gunanoot鈥檚 family in a letter signed, 鈥淔amilies of the Village of Hagwilget and Gitxsan people.鈥� It called for 鈥渃redible, regular updates鈥� on the RCMP and coroner鈥檚 investigation.
鈥淔ollowing the letter to the RCMP requesting urgency be placed on this investigation, the Village of Hagwilget publicly request[s] that timely updates and an interim report from the BC Coroner鈥檚 office be forthcoming to your family.鈥�
The letter also warned that the village be prepared for any outcomes of any investigation.
鈥淚t is impossible to know what the investigation will turn up,鈥� the letter stated.
In an interview, Sebastian reiterated his belief there had been a lack of proper investigation into Kaylee鈥檚 death.
鈥淧olicing is a community matter,鈥� he said, expressing concern about the perceived lack of effective law enforcement both on and off the reserves.
Sebastian recounted numerous incidents in which First Nations individuals went missing or were found dead under mysterious circumstances, only to be met, he said, with silence or indifference from the RCMP.
Jennifer has claimed that her daughter鈥檚 body was bruised and there was a lump on her forehead, leaving Sebastian to wonder why that wasn鈥檛 enough to trigger a homicide investigation.
In a statement to The Terrace Standard, RCMP Media Relations Officer Cpl. Madonna Saunderson responded to the perception of RCMP investigative apathy.
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鈥淕enerally speaking, regardless of race or gender, the direction of any investigation is led by the evidence,鈥� she said.
Sebastian further painted a picture of homelessness, rampant drug use and the associated violence on the Hagwilget reserve, often leaving residents feeling unprotected by police.
Sebastian stressed the importance of a collaborative relationship with the RCMP, one where the community鈥檚 concerns are genuinely taken into account in shaping policies and procedures.
鈥淧eople take advantage when the police don鈥檛 bother to show up to homes where there are homeless people living in them and known to get carried away in terms of alcohol and drugs and screaming and yelling.鈥�
Despite a meeting in mid-August with police, Jennifer said she was left without essential details such as the exact time of her daughter鈥檚 death and who was handling the investigation.
The RCMP wouldn鈥檛 comment directly on Kaylee鈥檚 case, but said in any death investigation, it would 鈥渆stablish a family liaison and maintain contact with them throughout the investigation.
鈥淭his is to ensure the proper flow of information when possible and also to ensure that supports are in place,鈥� said Saunderson.
鈥淭he RCMP has been in contact with the family since the outset and it has been made clear that the RCMP continue to support the BC Coroner鈥檚 Service with the investigation.鈥�
While a liaison was appointed, Jennifer said they haven鈥檛 been much help. She also expressed her frustration with the RCMP鈥檚 unwillingness to reclassify her daughter鈥檚 death as one of a suspicious nature or even murder.
鈥淭he death was suspicious,鈥� Jennifer reiterated, emphasizing her belief that the RCMP needs to fulfill its duties. 鈥淚t鈥檚 their job to get to the truth.鈥�
Saunderson said 鈥渘ot all details can be shared with the public or the family鈥� during any investigation and that 鈥渋n many coroner鈥檚 cases, those details can鈥檛 be known until the coroner has reviewed all of the available evidence and can make determinations such as time of death.鈥�
She added that those details may lead to a coroner鈥檚 inquest 鈥渄epending on the circumstances of the death.鈥�
Viktor Elias joined the Terrace Standard in April 2023.
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