Unfair decision
First nations people convicted of crimes are receiving reduced sentences.
The purpose of this law was to be more lenient with first nations people as a way to make up for the abuse and torture they endured in the Canadian residential school system [“Truth and reconciliation releases recommendations,” June 10].
I am a first nations lady. Recently, a member of my family became a victim of sexual assault. The perpetrator was native and the victim was native.
I attended the hearing hoping for justice but was extremely disappointed to witness the lawyer pushing for rehabilitation through a First Nations Healing Circle, rather than have the perpetrator serve a sentence in prison.
I can see how a healing circle could benefit a person who had committed a smaller petty crime. But, for the more serious or violent crimes, such as sexual assault or murder, I believe the first nations criminals should be punished like any other criminal.
It is not fair for someone to take another’s life (murder), or spirit (sexual assault), and essentially get away with it. The loss that has been experienced in my family, has been too great for this to happen.
Dian Hackett
Beach Road
