Five days after the death of her daughter Chantel Moore, Martha Martin is facing a task no mother ever wants to face.
“Instead of planning a celebration of accomplishments, I’ve had to go and plan a funeral for my daughter. It’s a pain I’d never wish to inflict on any person,” Martha said.
Moore grew up in Nanaimo and Port Alberni, on the Tseshaht First Nation. She was living in New Brunswick at the time of her death. It’s where she was shot and killed by a police officer in Edmundston during an early morning wellness check.
Police claim the 26-year-old threatened the officer with a knife outside of her apartment. The officer then shot her.
“Every single one of us would love to know exactly what happened,” Martha said.
Quebec’s independent police investigation agency is investigating the actions of the officer. Martha has spoken to an investigator, and while she wouldn’t share the details of the conversation, she’s calling for police around the country to be held accountable.
“We want justice to make sure this never happens to another Indigenous woman or any person. We’ve had enough. Let’s hold our police and RCMP accountable for their actions,” Martha said.
Moore’s family wants answers to bring home to Vancouver Island, where they say they are hurting and mobilizing over the actions of the police.
“Tofino where we’re from. There are thousands of people that came to protest the treatment. There was one in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Port Alberni.” said Moore’s uncle, Joe Martin.
Martin says her daughter was a warm and loving person, the kind who would light up a room. Moore had moved out east to be closer to her mom, and her daughter Gracie.
A small private funeral is planned for Thursday. And on Saturday, healing marches will take place in Edmundston, Moncton and Fredericton.
There will also be another healing gathering at the BC Legislature in Victoria on Thursday, June 18.
Ben Nesbit
