First Nations community banishes members, demolishes homes after targeted hit and run death
CBC
Family members of a man charged with second-degree murder in what police say was a targeted hit and run death on Haida Gwaii are being shunned in First Nations communities throughout B.C.
Though police and the Council of the Haida Nation have encouraged the protests to cease, those taking part say they want to send a message about violence in their communities.
The victim in the case is 32-year-old Luke Pearson, born and raised in Skidegate, a Haida Gwaii village of about 700 people.
RCMP say he was hit and killed on April 22 on Front Street, in what appeared to be a targeted attack with a vehicle.
In a statement posted by Pearson's family, he is described as a "proud uncle, loyal friend, a devoted and caring son, brother, and cousin, and loving partner," a marine mechanic and avid outdoorsman born and raised in Skidegate.
"He proudly and humbly lived a peaceful and honest life," the post says. "His life was stolen by evil people in a senseless act with no reason, and our hearts are forever broken."
Two days after the death, RCMP said they had arrested 32-year-old Skidegate resident Tyson Young, who was charged with second-degree murder. Young's next court appearance is May 28.
Now, individuals associated with Young, some of whom have been identified as his family members, have met with protesters along the highway as much as 800 kilometres away after leaving Skidegate and heading east to Prince George and beyond.
In Facebook videos, individuals can be seen lined up in multiple communities along Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Prince George with signs reading "#Justice4Luke." Other videos show individuals following the vehicles, sometimes for hours at a time, as they drive along the highway.
A widely shared social media post encourages businesses not to provide them with services along the way.
And at least two homes have also been demolished in Skidegate, which were apparently occupied by Young and his family, with a video showing members of the community lining up to witness the destruction, praying and taking part by throwing rocks through windows.
Skidegate Band Council has declined to comment until after Pearson's funeral, but B.C. Assembly of First Nations Chief Terry Teegee says the decision to destroy the homes and ask the family to leave was made by leadership in an attempt to deal with ongoing issues in the community associated with drug dealing.
He said the incident has hit a nerve because of the number of small Indigenous communities struggling with drug deaths and few resources.
"I think it's indicative of the frustration that many administrations, chiefs and councils, governing bodies have with the situation with toxic drugs and what it's doing to our First Nations communities," he said.
