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The murder of a Haida Gwaii man in what police say was a targeted hit and run has set off a provincewide movement across British Columbia, drawing attention to the issue of drugs and violence in First Nations communities.
On April 23, RCMP say Luke Pearson was hit and killed on Front Street in Skidegate, a village of about 700 people.
Days later, they had arrested 32-year-old Skidegate resident Tyson Young in connection with the death, and he was charged with second-degree murder.
Now, individuals associated with Young who have apparently left the community have been met with protesters along the way, some of whom have been identified as his family members.
In Facebook videos, individuals holding signs can be seen lined up along Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Prince George with signs reading “#Justice4Luke.” Other videos show individuals following the vehicles.
There is also a social media post circulating encouraging businesses not to provide them with services along the way.
Among those to take part in the demonstrations were Caroline Hall of the Witset First Nation and Smogelgem (Warner Naziel), a hereditary chief of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, who spoke to CBC News from their home in Witset, about 300 kilometres northwest of Prince George.
They said they became aware of the incident through friends and family on Haida Gwaii and were told Pearson’s death was as a result of drug dealers in the community and that the individuals on the road had been banished as a result.
“They [drug dealers] harmed a lot of people over the years, so that people had enough,” Smogelgem said.
“And all the communities, up and down the highway, can relate to that. We know how it feels to bury our young people. And it’s happening far too often, and this movement just really caught the hearts of so many of our communities because we don’t want to be burying our people anymore.”
RCMP, however, have asked for the protests and targeting of the individuals to stop.
“To be clear, there is one person who is alleged to have committed a crime, and their family should not be persecuted for those allegations,” said Sgt. Kris Clark with B.C. RCMP.
“There’s a process in place that needs to move forward, and that court process will continue.”
CBC News has reached out to the Skidegate Band Council, but they have declined to speak to the issue until after Pearson’s memorial.
The Council of the Haida Nation has also put out a statement thanking neighbouring communities for their support and reminding people to “walk softly while the emotions are still raw.”
“Right now, what we need is to focus on healing and love,” the statement reads. “Get off social media. Go outside and enjoy nature and its healing power. Jump in the ocean. Wash off the bad energy.”
The Nation has also said it is supportive of the RCMP’s efforts to investigate Pearson’s death.
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.”
The statement says he was born and raised in Skidegate and worked as a marine mechanic.
“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.”
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