Group to camp outside legislature until ‘change’ happens

Supporters of the Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism (SCAR) have set up camp outside of the legislature and say they’ll stay put until change happens within the justice system.

The camp is being called Justice for Our Stolen Children with their mission for the provincial and federal government to take action sooner rather than later in regards to what they call racism within the justice system.

In a news release, the group states they understand the federal government recently increased funding for child welfare but “money is not the only solution.”

Supporter Prescott Demas said he will be camping out until people listen and change is made.

“As long as it takes, until maybe they realize we do want change we do want support and we’ll be here as long as we have to be,” he said.

Demas said parliament staff did come out and ask what the campers were doing when they were first setting up shop; however, he said the people left as soon as they told them media were coming to the camping spot.

The release also stated the camp is an open space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike.

Demas hopes people who might have questions or reads their story in the media will come out and listen to what they have to say.

“We want them to come out and actually get that interaction and understand us,” he said. “Understand why we’re here — we have an open door anyone can come here and talk to us and that’s what we hope.”

SCAR also plans to host daily events on top of the camp out to raise awareness about the issues Indigenous people face within the justice system.