Regina bookstore donates profits to Boushie family before trial

A local alternative bookstore is showing its support for Colten Boushie’s family ahead of this week’s second-degree murder trial.

Turning the Tide Books in Regina is donating 50 per cent of its pop-up store profits on Sunday to Boushie’s relatives.

“The family is struggling. It’s a hard time for them and letting them know that people care is important,” said Chris Kortright, who co-runs the bookstore.

Kortright added he hopes the money will go towards furthering the Boushie family’s awareness campaign around the death of their son, and to show them the diversity of support they have going into the trial.

“There are plenty of both settlers and Indigenous people who are behind them and support them and challenging the racist ideology in this province,” explained Kortright.

Since Turning the Tide is a grassroots bookstore known for stocking reads on social justice, gender and Indigenous studies, Kortright said it’s only natural they move their morals into motion.

“It’s important to put actions to your words, and it’s important to live what your beliefs are,” he said. “If you believe things are wrong, you need to act in the world and try to intervene and change them.”

In addition to the proceeds raised Sunday afternoon, Turning the Tide is also giving Boushie’s relatives a book with handwritten messages of support.

Kortright said he, along with others from Colonialism No More and Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism, will be delivering it to the family in-person when they travel to Battleford for the trial on Monday.