Saskatchewan RCMP were being assisted by various municipal police forces Sunday. Photo: APTN News file
A Regina mother whose daughter went missing in 2007 is launching a multimillion-dollar class-action lawsuit against the federal government and the RCMP, alleging a “negligent” and “lackadaisical” approach to investigating missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Danita Faith has been missing for more than 10 years, and her mother Diane BigEagle is the caretaker of her two children.
Saskatchewan lawyer Anthony Merchant filed the suit on BigEagle’s behalf today and is seeking $500 million in damages and $100 million in punitive damages.
Court documents say BigEagle met with the RCMP more than 50 times about her daughter’s disappearance, and allege they did not pay attention nor take notes during the meetings.
The suit alleges systemic negligence on the part of the RCMP in investigating cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
The lawsuit says family members have been forced to endure mental anguish because of the RCMP’s failure to properly investigate and prosecute the disappearances.
Yes! Good for you! You are right! I hope you win….
Yes! Good for you! You are right! I hope you win….
Here is what I would like to share. Let me tell you a little about how it is being treated differently as a native person. This is my own experience, I have tried to explain it to other ppl kinda like this…when you were in school how many Scottish ppl were in your class ..they replied I don’t know….I asked how many German ppl were in your class….they replied I don’t know…I again asked how many French ppl were in your class… They again replied..i don’t know…and I then asked how many native ppl were in your class…they seemed to have the answer usually…so what I mean by this is the stereo type that was passed down in generations . As a young kid in school I felt different, I was treated in a negative way by many at a young age..kids parents didn’t want you playing with their kids you just got treated differently…I’m not saying every kid or person I met was like that but many were. I have experienced walking into big grocery or Dept stores and followed by security right away and I know it was because I am native ….native ppl I have spoken to can relate…the looks, the assumptions, the stigma to being native as a nagative is truly horrific. People look at you different the feeling I have picked up on in situations dealings with professional people assuming I was not educated..I have surprised a few people as I am college graduate. Some people say not nice things about native people we have all heard the whispers or the nanes. People dress up at Halloween as cowboys and Indians thinking first Nation ppl are costumes, we call our attire regalia. We have a very beautiful culture that lives in harmony with the land and the animals of the earth…we have been taught to live with respect not greed. When we gather we share what we have with one another. We respect our elders and have many uncle’s and auntie’s…we are all brothers and sisters…. As the first people of Canada we deserve acknowledgement and to what our people have went through….our ancestors suffered terrible tragedies and deaths to have your ancestors come to our beautiful country of Canada and immigate and build a life you now have. History should be taught and explained mandatory of what really happened to Canada’s first ppl. Growing up should be a joy for all children…. shame was what was taught as a child to many….not sure how many other First Nations people can relate. But I just wanted to share my lil bit. Reading this story of Danita Faith is sad her mother Diane BigEagle has had to endure the loss of her daughter and to not feel supported by people we are supposed to get help from the law that’s in place to serve and protect all, there is an oath that they took and this mom was not treated proper. This lawsuit is what it takes to have justice served and to be heard….maybe now they will open up their eyes and ears and bring some help to the family. So many murdered and missing women in the Aboriginal community this can only be addressed if a community works together….what if she was your daughter or your sister….how would you feel. My deepest respect to the family….my heart hurts for you.
Right on it’s about time that someone held them accountable and I don’t care if they see my email cause they need to know that people are fed up enough is enough our women matter just as much as any other race.
Here is what I would like to share. Let me tell you a little about how it is being treated differently as a native person. This is my own experience, I have tried to explain it to other ppl kinda like this…when you were in school how many Scottish ppl were in your class ..they replied I don’t know….I asked how many German ppl were in your class….they replied I don’t know…I again asked how many French ppl were in your class… They again replied..i don’t know…and I then asked how many native ppl were in your class…they seemed to have the answer usually…so what I mean by this is the stereo type that was passed down in generations . As a young kid in school I felt different, I was treated in a negative way by many at a young age..kids parents didn’t want you playing with their kids you just got treated differently…I’m not saying every kid or person I met was like that but many were. I have experienced walking into big grocery or Dept stores and followed by security right away and I know it was because I am native ….native ppl I have spoken to can relate…the looks, the assumptions, the stigma to being native as a nagative is truly horrific. People look at you different the feeling I have picked up on in situations dealings with professional people assuming I was not educated..I have surprised a few people as I am college graduate. Some people say not nice things about native people we have all heard the whispers or the nanes. People dress up at Halloween as cowboys and Indians thinking first Nation ppl are costumes, we call our attire regalia. We have a very beautiful culture that lives in harmony with the land and the animals of the earth…we have been taught to live with respect not greed. When we gather we share what we have with one another. We respect our elders and have many uncle’s and auntie’s…we are all brothers and sisters…. As the first people of Canada we deserve acknowledgement and to what our people have went through….our ancestors suffered terrible tragedies and deaths to have your ancestors come to our beautiful country of Canada and immigate and build a life you now have. History should be taught and explained mandatory of what really happened to Canada’s first ppl. Growing up should be a joy for all children…. shame was what was taught as a child to many….not sure how many other First Nations people can relate. But I just wanted to share my lil bit. Reading this story of Danita Faith is sad her mother Diane BigEagle has had to endure the loss of her daughter and to not feel supported by people we are supposed to get help from the law that’s in place to serve and protect all, there is an oath that they took and this mom was not treated proper. This lawsuit is what it takes to have justice served and to be heard….maybe now they will open up their eyes and ears and bring some help to the family. So many murdered and missing women in the Aboriginal community this can only be addressed if a community works together….what if she was your daughter or your sister….how would you feel. My deepest respect to the family….my heart hurts for you.
Right on it’s about time that someone held them accountable and I don’t care if they see my email cause they need to know that people are fed up enough is enough our women matter just as much as any other race.
Do the RCMP treat missing White people with the same indifference? Canadians like to believe that they’re not racist against Aboriginals as long as nothing’s in words or in writing! I was born in 1955 and wouldn’t wish my life experience on anyone, not only because of Gov’t oppression but also Social Injustice of how White people have treated me! When I was a common labourer my co-workers accepted me for the nice guy that I am! Once I was above that I was closed off like a condemned criminal! A Black my age said, You mean that you’re out of your place!”
Do the RCMP treat missing White people with the same indifference? Canadians like to believe that they’re not racist against Aboriginals as long as nothing’s in words or in writing! I was born in 1955 and wouldn’t wish my life experience on anyone, not only because of Gov’t oppression but also Social Injustice of how White people have treated me! When I was a common labourer my co-workers accepted me for the nice guy that I am! Once I was above that I was closed off like a condemned criminal! A Black my age said, You mean that you’re out of your place!”
Maybe they will notice us now
Maybe they will notice us now