Chiefs, community members, and RCMP met in North Battleford two years after the remains of Candie Pritchard were found in Red Pheasant Cree Nation.
Many representatives gave speeches, all communicating their personal concerns, which ultimately spread one message: ‘someone knows something.’
Lorna, Pritchard’s mother, stood in front of the group, pleading for answers in her daughter’s suspicious death.
“Whoever did this to my daughter, very brutally…somebody say something. It just takes one point, one finger to the right direction.”
“It probably won’t ever be the same, but it will bring peace,” Lorna said.
Candie Pritchard’s mother, Lorna, speaking on her daughter’s ongoing murder case.
Chief Cody Benson of Red Pheasant Cree Nation and Chief Tanya Stone with Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation were approached by Pritchard’s family and asked them to hold the press conference to speak on the concerns regarding missing and murdered Indigenous women and men.
Chief Benson began his speech by addressing the large number of people who attended the meeting. He said it was a reflection of the number of people who are closely impacted in local communities.
“We’re going to continue fighting for you guys, and that’s why we did this today. We’re not going to be silent anymore. Enough is enough. We want our community back. Let’s continue to fight this fight together,” he said.
Within Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs, there have been 18 homicides since 2014. Half of the cases have been completed, while the other half is ongoing or without charges.
Chief Stone said that’s why it is important to keep saying the names of Indigenous people involved in ongoing cases.
“Prior to Christmas, we had a media release in regards to policing. Today, we’re having a media release in regard to murder and missing. I sure hope somebody in Ottawa is hearing and because we are here and ready as Chiefs, as regional leaders, as RCMP to work together,” Stone said.
Moving forward, local First Nations, RCMP, and the City of North Battleford will continue to work together in an effort to gather more information in all of the cases.
Anyone with information about Pritchard’s death or any other ongoing investigations is asked to report it to police. Tips can be submitted by calling Saskatchewan RCMP at 310-RCMP (7267) or through Crimestoppers.
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alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com
