(Image Credit: Facebook / Surrance Myers).

By Aaron Schulze

Calls for Change

Tŝilhqot’in Nation calls for changes to RCMP after member dies in police custody

Oct 4, 2022 | 11:33 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — The Tŝilhqot’in National Government is calling for changes and answers from the Williams Lake RCMP following the passing of a young Tŝilhqot’in man while in RCMP custody.

In a news release issued Tuesday (Oct. 4) morning, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation says the immediate family of 21-year-old Surrance Myers has received no information as to what happened to their son.

“I am appalled that this young man could die in police custody,” Otis Guichon, Nits’ilʔin (Chief) and vice chair of Tŝilhqot’in National Government states. “There are still many questions that have been left unanswered. On Friday, we honoured all those who died at residential schools while in care of the Church – and now we have our members dying while in the care of the RCMP.”

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation says it has long called for the RCMP, specifically in Williams Lake, to overhaul their training to include cultural sensitivity training in order to be better equipped to handle the diverse needs of Indigenous peoples. Additionally, Tŝilhqot’in Nation says Williams Lake RCMP also needs First Nation Liaisons to ensure Indigenous people’s safety while in custody.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) – B.C.’s police watchdog – says the incident took place early Saturday morning (Oct. 1).

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RCMP say on Friday evening, officers stopped a man and a woman riding a moped. The man was arrested and taken to cells.

At about 4:50 a.m. Saturday, the man was discovered to be in medical distress. B.C. Emergency Health Services attendants were called to assist but, in spite of their efforts, the man was pronounced dead.

The Williams Lake Tribune first identified Myers as the victim. Sigurdson Forest Products posted a note of condolence to its Facebook page Monday, calling Myers “a very valued and hard-working” employee, saying he will be missed.

IIO will determine if officer action or inaction contributed to the man’s death.

Anyone who has relevant information is asked to contact the IIO witness line at 1 (800) 446-8477.