“So kill me if you must, like you have so many of my relatives and people before me, it won’t change the fact there needs to be serious reform in the criminal justice system. How can anyone uphold the law without being held to a higher standard of law?"

Born in 1940 in Alberni BC, Elder William Jones has lived a life that spans the spiritual and

emotional devastation of the residential schools, through a childhood and early adulthood on the

Pacheedaht Nation reservation with the fall out of the trauma of residential school abuse in the

community, through the racism of working at various professions in the colonized world, to

eventually becoming a ʔuuštaqyu through his own spiritual awakening and a holder of First

Nations traditions and ritual. Since 1980, Elder Bill has, in his words: “been committed to the

mentorship of Indigenous and all people in finding non-Western religion spiritual direction so

that we can free ourselves and return to our original Indigenous world sensitivity.”

My name is Laura Holland and I am the mother of Jared Lowndes, who was brutally shot and killed on July 8, 2021 by the RCMP in Campbell River, BC.

I apologize, I’m so sorry that I am not able to join in by Zoom as we are having technical difficulties here.

About five and a half months before my son was murdered he wrote a letter predicting the RCMP would murder him, this letter was a cry for help which went unheard, and he left instructions that the letter go public on social media and with the media should the RCMP murder him. We have, as his family members, made sure this has happened, we have honored his request. The letter can be found on the JusticeforJared.org website under “Jared’s writing” and there you will also be able to learn more about the actions that we have taken along with posters for printing.

 In Jared’s own writing, he has very clearly written about the discrimination and racism that he had faced all his life along with his family. He had written very clearly about the abuse he endured at an early age and throughout his life. The JusticeforJared campaign has been, from the very start, about law enforcement’s brutality on Indigenous People, it has also been about seeking Justice for all Indigenous people who are shot and killed by the police.

This is not to mention all the people who have died in custody or because of police action or inaction. There are far too many needless deaths that have occurred because of law enforcement’s attacks on Indigenous people. The numbers are rising every week, if not every day. The JusticeforJared campaign has also touched on the racism and discrimination that we, as Indigenous families, have faced with the ministry of children and families and the atrocities that we have been subjected to. 

Jared also touched on the topics around First Nations land bases or lack thereof; he basically said that we are refugees in our own homelands and we have nowhere to turn for help or for security. There are many details that have not been made public, as they may prove to be harmful to criminal charges against law enforcement should they be recommended. It is my hope that you will look at the JusticeforJared website and see his writing for yourself and trust that we are doing the right thing by fighting for justice, with what meager resources we have, and that you will join us. 

At the end of May and early June JusticeforJared will be attending the 2nd Annual Memorial Walk for Chantel Moore and her brother, Mike Martin. We were invited by Martha Martin, who is the mother of Chantel who was shot and killed by police in Edmundston N.B., on a wellness check, and a few months later Mike died in police custody in Surrey, BC The walk is from Tofino, BC to Victoria, BC and will include family members of other people who have died because of police action.

 Please spread the word! We will continue working until we see changes to the laws that ultimately end up causing police to instigate situations to crisis situations and resulting in Indigenous peoples murders.

Laura Holland

https://www.justiceforjared.org/

Robert is the 10-year old host of Children's Climate Championship on YouTube where he interviews child activists 12 and under from around the world to amplify their voices about what they are doing to help save the world. He also talks to scientists and organizations about climate change and biodiversity and donates money as a thank you to a charity of their choice. He has already given more than $2000. He believes "Together Kids Can Save The World”. 

You can find him at: 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzJK4HEaoEnxoIyCBtb52Q

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChildrensClima1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChildrensClimatechampionship/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/childrensclimatechampionship