Maskwacis, Canada – The small community of Maskwacis has been grappling with the tragic loss of one of their youths, Hoss, whose life was cut prematurely short under circumstances that are still being examined. His grandmother, Nadalie, shared her deep sorrow and distress as she reminisced over photographs of Hoss from infancy to his final days. Since Hoss’ death, the emotional toll has been evident in Nadalie’s day-to-day existence, marked by fluctuating periods of intense grief and anger. The family held a traditional wake and burial in their yard, complete with a teepee, in mid-September in homage to their lost beloved.
Hoss had been residing with his mother until he was introduced into the foster care system in November 2023, due to his battle with suicidal thoughts. He was placed in a group home in Edmonton, a significant distance from his hometown, isolating him from his home community and essential family support. According to Nadalie, Hoss struggled with this displacement, which led him to repeatedly run away, seeking solace at her home on the reserve. Despite her own health challenges, including a recent battle with cancer, Nadalie did all she could to provide support. “He ran away multiple times, and every time I was there for him. That’s what grandmothers do,” she stated.
Hoss was remembered as a gentle and trustworthy individual who consistently sought the good in others. The exact details of Hoss’s untimely demise remain unclear, though Nadalie has heard rumors suggesting a violent encounter involving multiple gunshot wounds.
In response to this incident, the nearby Wetaskiwin RCMP reported that Hoss was found in possession of several weapons. A confrontation ensued, during which two officers discharged their guns, resulting in Hoss’s death. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), a civilian oversight body, has taken on the case to scrutinize the actions and decisions leading to the fatal shooting.
However, Hoss’s story is not isolated. He becomes part of a distressing pattern as at least nine Indigenous individuals have similarly died during encounters with Canadian law enforcement since August 29. The nature of these fatalities varies, with some occurring in police custody, others as a result of shooting, and two fatalities where individuals were struck by police vehicles.
One particularly notable incident involves Jon Wells, a 42-year-old member of the Blood Tribe in Calgary, Alberta. Wells, known for being a champion steer wrestler and a respected community member, met his demise following a police interaction at a local hotel on September 17. Initial reports from Calgary Police Service suggested a scenario wherein officers attempted to de-escalate what they described as erratic behavior. However, footage and an ensuing ASIRT report contradict those claims, revealing that excessive force may have been used without proper communication or de-escalation efforts. The report highlights that Wells was subdued with tasers and physical strikes, restrained, and later became unresponsive while bleeding and vomiting, with a spit mask and leg restraints applied.
The ongoing investigations into these incidents have cast a light on law enforcement interactions with the Indigenous community, sparking outrage and prompting NDP MP Blake Desjarlais to call for a national inquiry into these deaths. This wave of violence has not only raised questions about systemic issues within police forces but also about the broader implications of such encounters on Indigenous populations in Canada.
In the meantime, families and communities mourn their losses. The Wells family remembers Jon as a loving relative and a mentor to many, emphasizing his legacy in the rodeo and as part of community-building initiatives like the Little Bear program. “His legacy as a mentor, friend, and cowboy will forever be cherished,” their statement read, acknowledging the profound impact he had on many lives.
As the investigations proceed, there is a collective call from these affected communities for transparency, accountability, and ultimately, change that ensures better protection and justice for Indigenous peoples in interactions with law enforcement.