'We have to do better': Hundreds gather in Edmonton to support family of Colten Boushie

Outrage over the acquittal of a Saskatchewan farmer in the death ofa youngIndigenous man drew 200 people to a protest in Edmonton Saturday.

Crowds braved frigid temperatures in a rally outside the Edmonton Police Service headquarters downtown.

On Friday, an all-white jury acquitted Saskatchewanfarmer Gerald Stanleyin the2016 shooting death of 22-year-old ColtenBoushie.

"I'm here because I couldn't sleep last night I was so upset. I'm here really to be with other people who are experiencing the same thing," saidChelsea Vowel, who doesn't know the Boushie family.

• 'Bring drums':Boushiesupport rallies planned in Saskatoon, Regina after Stanley not-guilty verdict
• Shouts of 'murderer' in courtroom after Gerald Stanley acquitted inColtenBoushieshooting

The gathering was one of at least a dozen taking place across the country this weekend. About 100 people gathered at the Alberta legislature Saturday evening for a candlelight vigilforBoushie.

Boushie, from the Red Pheasant Cree Nation, was shot in the head on Aug. 9, 2016, after an altercation on Stanley's property.

Justice for a failed system

Supporters of Boushie's family burned sage and held signs calling for justice at Saturday's rally in Edmonton.

Jodi Calahoo-Stonehouseis a friend of Boushie's sister Jade.

"We're here supporting her, lifting her, loving her, because we are connected as Indigenous peoples. We recognize that if it's their family, it could be our family as well," she said.

"This is painful. This child did not deserve to be murdered and when we talk about reconciliation there's some real work that needs to be done. It is not acceptable to murder our kids because you are afraid of Indian people."

Manytook turns speaking to the crowd about their concerns and hopes for the future, before marching the two blocks to Edmonton's law courts.

Organizer Eriel Tchekwie Derangersays the group chose to march down city streets illegally, without a permit, in defiance ofthe legal systemthat ultimately failed Boushie.

"We started at the police station because the police are the first people that failed Colten. We're ending at the courts because that's where the system failed him in the very end,"TchekwieDeranger said.

"We're demanding justice for a failed system."

'White tears are not enough'

The verdict has again drawn focus to the treatment of Indigenous people in Canada's justice system. Speaking to reporters in Los Angeles on Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would not comment on the court process, but said"we have come to this point as a country far too many times."

"Indigenous people across this country are angry, they're heartbroken," he said."I know Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians alike know that we have to do better."

But those words weren't what people at the rally wanted to hear from the prime minister.

Condolences are not enough. White tears are not enough. It's time tomake real systemic change in Canada.- JodiCalahoo-Stonehouse

"Condolences are not enough. White tears are not enough. It's time tomake real systemic change in Canada. Racism is not acceptable," Calahoo-Stonehousesaid.

"Colten Boushie isn't the only young personwho's been murdered in Canada. This is a massive epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous people,so we're out here again stating this is not acceptable. You cannot kill Indigenous people and get away with it."

In a statement Saturday,Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation Chief Tony Alexis said the verdict has given rise to anger and hurt. He called for the "full recognition" of the rights of First Peoples.

"We are a resilient people who have always overcome adversity. We will overcome this too," he said.

"This is a call to action.As a chief, I urge our governments, our judicial systems, and our educational institutions to take this opportunity to take real action in creating justice for all. It is only change within these systems that we will eliminate injustices.

"Mr. Prime Minister, I am calling upon your government to answer our call for a Crown meeting. That we can join in our leadership to lead our nation forward, together."

• Ministers say Canada must 'do better' afterBoushieverdict

TchekwieDerangersaid she will continue to call for justice.

"The system failedColten,but it has failedcountless other Indigenous people beforehand," she said.

"We have to demand change. Not just forColten, but for all Indigenous people in Canada, North America, and the world over."