Organizations call for Action to End the Deaths of Indigenous People in Custody

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Organizations call for Action to End the Deaths of Indigenous People in CustodyAuthor of the article:UNCEDED COAST SALSIH TERRITORIES, BURNABY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Sept. 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today marks the opening of the inquest into the death of Kendal Campeau, a member of the Yellow Quill First Nation who died in the custody of Correctional Service Canada (CSC) on November 14, 2021. Mr. Campeau was 31 years old.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountMr. Campeau’s death highlights the ongoing and disproportionate harms experienced by Indigenous people in Canada’s prison system. The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC), BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN), First Nations Summit (FNS), Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), and Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS) are calling on all levels of government to address the systemic conditions that contribute to the mass incarceration and in-custody deaths of Indigenous people.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.On the day of his death, Mr. Campeau experienced an overdose from a toxic combination of medications and was transported to hospital. He was discharged shortly afterward and returned to custody. Hours later, while under observation in a prison cell, he died.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againMr. Campeau’s sister, Ashley Fontaine, said: “Kendal was a son, a brother, a friend to many and a proud uncle. He was kind and giving, and he cared for others who were struggling. He was confined and locked up most of his life — a lifetime of institutional living. All he ever wanted was one Christmas with the whole family. He never experienced this and never will.”Indigenous people make up approximately one third of the federal prison population in Canada, and are disproportionately exposed to some of the most harmful aspects of incarceration, including isolation, uses of force, and self-harm incidents.The BCAFN, BCFNJC, FNS, UBCIC, and PLS have repeatedly called on Canada to address the mass incarceration of Indigenous Peoples by redirecting resources from prisons to Indigenous governments, organizations and communities to support community-based solutions.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Mr. Campeau had a long history of being harmed by colonial systems, including the foster care and prison systems. He spent prolonged periods in solitary confinement, experienced violent abuse by prison officers, and survived suicide attempts. An investigation by CSC found that the correctional service failed to appropriately consider Mr. Campeau’s Indigenous Social History when making decisions about his incarceration.“Canada has been forcefully removing Indigenous people from their families and communities for far too long – through residential schools, the 60s scoop, and now prisons”, said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President. “This inquest illustrates the critical need for emergency interventions on the part Canada according to the intent and purpose of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The federal and provincial governments must use the opportunity presented by this inquest to understand not only the immediate circumstances of Kendal’s death, but the systemic, impoverished conditions that placed him at risk and failed to protect him. His family deserves answers and meaningful action to prevent another death in custody.”This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Mr. Campeau lived with chronic pain and significant mental health needs. At the time of his death, he was being held at the Regional Treatment Centre-Pacific, a CSC facility meant to provide psychiatric care to people in federal custody. CSC treatment centres were recently the subject of a scathing critique by the Correctional Investigator of Canada, who concluded there was little to differentiate them from regular prisons and that security is prioritized over the delivery of care.In the weeks before his death, Mr. Campeau spoke to a doctor about being prescribed methadone, an Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT), but he never received a prescription. The BC Coroner’s Service determined that Mr. Campeau died of methadone toxicity, an indication that he obtained methadone through other means in an attempt to self-medicate.Doctors, researchers and civil society organizations have condemned new CSC restrictions on OAT in prison and called instead for evidence-based care.“When a loved one is placed in an institution, they should be receiving client-centred care to meet their needs to be returned to their families healed and on a better path,” said Ms. Fontaine. “Families should be included in the rehabilitation of their loved ones. Those who are placed in institutional settings are human beings and deserve love, care and respect, no matter their circumstances.”This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“Mr. Campeau’s death highlights the numerous ways that CSC is failing people with high mental health needs, people who use substances, and Indigenous people,” said Hugh Braker from the First Nations Summit Political Executive. “More security, surveillance and restrictions are not the answer. People in prison have the right to meaningful healthcare just like people in the community, but by and large that’s not what they’re getting, which is of great concern.”Cloy-e-iis (Dr. Judith Sayers), BCFNJC Director and Representative for Policing and Oversight, said: “The tragic and preventable death of Kendal Campeau is a devastating reflection of the broader systemic failures within Correctional Service Canada. Kendal was a treasured son, brother, uncle, and member of Yellow Quill First Nation, and his family deserves absolute transparency and accountability. To ensure another family does not suffer this same loss, the BCFNJC demands that Canada and BC take immediate action to address the needs of Indigenous people in their care, starting with the immediate reform of solitary confinement conditions in strict alignment with Tona’s Law. The justice system must stop perpetuating trauma and finally commit to actionable reform and Indigenous healing.”This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“The tragic death of Mr. Kendal Campeau at a CSC facility is a reminder of countless other instances of violence and fatalities that First Nations peoples have experienced at the hands of officers and agents of the Crown in BC and across the country,” said BCAFN Regional Chief Terry Teegee. “This case demonstrates that it is past time for Canada to fully implement the BC and National First Nations justice strategies to ensure meaningful reform of the existing justice system and the rebuilding of First Nations justice systems.”The inquest begins on September 28, 2026 at 9:30am and will be livestreamed on the BC Coroner’s website.Grand Chief Stewart Phillip Union of BC Indian Chiefs250 490-5314Hugh Braker First Nations Summit604-812-2632 hbraker@fns.bc.ca.BC First Nations Justice Councilcommunications@bcfnjc.comAnnette Schroeter BCAFN Communications Officer 778-281-1655Nicole KiefPrisoners’ Legal Servicesnkief@pls-bc.ca604-636-0470This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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