The Chiefs of the Syilx Okanagan Nation stand united in their condemnation of Donald Ashley, the grievous harms he caused to Syilx Nation women while under the guise of a medicine man, and the utter lack of justice served on Ashley by the Canadian legal system.
Six Syilx Nation women came forward to report that Ashley had, allegedly, touched them inappropriately during healing sessions that he offered in 2022. This resulted in six initial charges of sexual assault. The court process would take two years before resulting in a trial, which took place between September and October of 2024. Despite weeks-long testimony of the six brave women who came forward, the jury stated that there was not enough evidence to convict Mr. Ashley of any of the sexual assault charges. The only chargethat stuck was one count of common assault.
鈥淭his criminal justice system failed our women once again. They made this sexual predator out to be a victim throughout this trial,鈥 said Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel.
When asked about his views on how the court system handled the trial, Gabriel noted, 鈥淲e have to fix this damn justice system so these poor women that have been abused don鈥檛 have to carry that with them forever. He gets to walk away free, but they have to live with what he did. HeB次元官网网址 a predator and heB次元官网网址 brought such disgrace to a very sacred part of our traditions and healing.鈥 Chief GabrielB次元官网网址 condemnation of the justice system and the lack of true justice received by Indigenous women echoes statements made over many decades. The Canadian justice system has failed Indigenous women, as well as girls and 2-spirit folks, for over a century. These failings are clearly outlined in the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, 鈥淩eclaiming Power and Place鈥.
鈥淰iolence against women in any form is unacceptable and a direct violation of Syilx laws and values,鈥 said Chief Clarence Louie, Chair of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. 鈥淎s leaders, we have a responsibility to stand up against violence and ensure the safety and dignity of our people, specifically women and girls.鈥
