More teepees added at protest camp near Sask. Legislature

Five teepees stood tall at the Justice for our Stolen Children camp near the Saskatchewan Legislature as of noon Monday afternoon.

The File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council and Piapot First Nation were first to add their teepees in support, with other First Nations and camp supporters following suit.

Robyn Pitawanakwat, a camp spokesperson, said more teepees are expected to be on the way. She added the protest doesn’t plan to move to make room for Canada Day festivities, such as a beer garden.

“To allow for a drunken celebration, instead of addressing issues of systemic racism and poverty is hugely problematic,” Pitawanakwat said.

“We’re going to continue to stay here. This is where people can find us, this is where we’re needed and we will look forward to more people — Indigenous and settler alike — to come and join us.”

There are now four teepees set up across from the #Sask. Legislature. @FHQTC, @PiapotFN and a camp supporter have built theirs next to the Justice for our Stolen Children camp’s teepee in Wascana Park. #yqr #skpoli pic.twitter.com/rj52bAKTTv

— Jessie Anton (@jessieanton_) June 25, 2018

Central Services Minister Ken Cheveldayoff reinforced that protesters are breaking the law by camping overnight in the park and whether the camp will be evicted again soon is the Regina Police Service’s decision.

“If the law’s being broken, it’s up to (police) to uphold the law,” Cheveldayoff said.

Though being evicted and arrested again runs through most protesters’ minds, Pitawanakwat said it doesn’t keep them from fighting for justice.

“The issues that people have dealt with in the past, like having their children taken, losing loved ones, far outweighs the fear of what the police might do in coming in here.”

— With files from Jayda Noyes