STONECHILD INQUIRY REPORT RELEASED

Released on October 26, 2004

Justice Minister Frank Quennell today released the report of the Commission inquiring into the death of Neil Stonechild, and in so doing, accepted the Commission's findings and recommendations.

"There will be consequences as a result of this report," Quennell said. "The Government accepts the findings and will act on the recommendations. The response to the findings will come from the Saskatoon Police Service. The Government is also having discussions with the Service."

"In his report, Commissioner Wright speaks of the "two solitudes" that exist in our province - the gulf between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people and of the distrust in non-Aboriginal institutions. This case shows us, in sharp relief, the tragic consequences of that gulf. We cannot accept a society in which the most vulnerable people in our community are not able to turn for help to those entrusted with protecting them.

I do not accept that situation. The government of this province does not accept that situation. The death of a 17-year-old boy is a tragedy. It deserves our attention. It deserves our very best efforts. We may not always be able to determine with certainty what happened in the case of a tragic and premature death, but we must try our best.

The report I am releasing today is a report to the people of Saskatchewan. It is a report that provides valuable insight into where we are with respect to the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It is a report that prompts us to think about where we want to be in the future.

I respectfully submit that we want to be a community that works together for the benefit of everyone." Quennell said.

In his report, Commissioner Wright finds that Neil Stonechild was in the custody of two Saskatoon Police officers on the night he was last seen alive and that injuries to his body were likely caused by handcuffs. The Commissioner also finds that the principal investigator assigned to the case in 1990 carried out a superficial and totally inadequate investigation.

The Commissioner went on to find that, in the years following Neil Stonechild's death, the Saskatoon Police Service rejected or ignored information from the Stonechild family and the media that cast doubt on the conduct of the investigation.

"In response to these findings I have initiated discussions with the Saskatoon Chief of Police and the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners to establish a plan to respond constructively to the report," Quennell said.

The Saskatchewan Police Commission will assist the Saskatoon Police Service to develop a plan to:

- ensure internal controls are in place to catch errors or omissions in investigations;

- commit the Saskatoon Police Service to objectivity, transparency and openness in pursuing allegations of police misconduct;

- establish the confidence of the Aboriginal community in the Service;

- restore pride in the Service by its member officers; and

- restore overall public confidence in the Service.

The Saskatchewan Police Commission will monitor the progress of the Saskatoon Police Service toward achieving these objectives.

Quennell also directed the Public Prosecutions branch of Saskatchewan Justice to examine the report and as a result, they have confirmed there is insufficient evidence to prosecute any member of the Saskatoon Police Service for any offenses related to the death of Neil Stonechild.

Copies of the Commission's complete report can be found at http://www.stonechildinquiry.ca/finalreport/.

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For More Information, Contact:

Andrew Dinsmore Justice Regina Phone: (306) 787-8606