Members of the Cowichan Tribe gathered outside the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment, clutching posters of 15-year-old Carsyn Seaweed.
The demonstration marked a growing frustration from the community in how the case is being handled.
The initial statement released by police said that despite being found under suspicious circumstances, investigators believed there was no criminality involved in Seaweed’s death.
It created an uproar in the community and authorities published a second statement the following day instead saying that the case was being looked at as a criminal investigation.
READ MORE: ‘It is suspicious’: Cowichan mother wants answers in her teenage girl’s death
“It’s the police officers that need the change. They are the ones that need to change. We’re doing all the things right,” one woman said at the rally.
Things came to a head when the the rally’s organizer, Adrian Sylvester, walked into the detachment.
Moments later, the the most senior officer, Inspector Chris Bear, stepped out and addressed the protesters.
“I just want to reassure the public that we are doing everything. The investigation was never closed whatsoever, and so that was a miscommunication that I apologize for. I apologize to the family, and the community. This is very huge priority for us we take it very genuine and we are doing everything that we can,” Bear told the crowd.
For some the apology doesn’t go far enough.
The murder of 18-year old Tyeshia Jones in 2011 rocked the Cowichan Valley.
Her mother, Mary Jim, now wants to make sure they get answers from the RCMP in this latest case.
“I want what everybody else wants. Justice,” Jim said.
The RCMP say this investigation remains their top priority.
“We can always do things better … We’ll strive to do better, and communicate,” Bear said.
For the community, this is the first step toward what they are looking for, answers about the death of a young woman, whose loss has left a void in her community.
“It’s a start. I’m glad that he came out and said something about it,” Sylvester said.
WATCH: ‘It is suspicious’: Cowichan mother wants answers in Carsyn Seaweed death
Mary Griffin
