Chantel Moore’s mother mourning another one of her children: Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council

PORT ALBERNI (NEWS 1130) — Chantel Moore’s mother is grieving another one of her children after her son died by suicide while being held at the Surrey pretrial centre earlier this month, according to the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.

Moore, a 26-year-old Tla-o-qui-aht mother, was shot and killed by police in New Brunswick earlier this year sparking protest across the country against systemic racism in policing and violence against Indigenous women.

Moore’s younger brother, 23-year-old Michael Martin, died on Nov. 14, according to a statement released by the Tribal Council.

“Martha Martin received life-altering news on June 4th, 2020 when police knocked on her door in the middle of the night to tell her the police shot her daughter Chantel Moore during a wellness check,” writes President Judith Sayers.

“A call on Saturday night November 14th from B.C. delivered even more horrendous news. The fact that a Nuu-chah-nulth mother could have two children die in less than six months dealing with the justice system is unbearable, staggering, and appalling.”

Sayers describes Michael Martin as reeling from grief and trauma after his sister was killed.

“The news of his sister’s ghastly death disturbed Mike deeply and he has had a hard time dealing with this. Mike looked up to Chantel and family and friends described them as ‘two peas in a pod,'” Sayers writes.

“His death was a compounding effect from the shooting of his sister on a wellness check. One horrific injustice imperiled the life of another. The police officer that took Chantel’s life inevitably took another.”

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She says the family will decide whether to comment publicly after the results of an internal investigation.

But the statement from council includes some of Martha Martin’s words.

“We cannot be silent and let this go by unnoticed. There must be immediate changes to the justice system, we need justice for Chantel and her brother Mike,” the statement reads.

“The justice system is failing our children!! This is just too hard to go through.”

Michael Martin was planning to move to New Brunswick to be with his parents, and Chantel’s daughter Gracie, according to Sayers.

Quebec’s Bureau des enquetes independantes is investigating Moore’s death, and a coroner’s inquest will be held. Two complaints police have been filed with the New Brunswick Police Commission.

Sayers says this family’s story is but one heartbreaking example of how systemic racism and violence harm Indigenous people in Canada.

“Violence in the justice system has wrought many ills within our First Nation communities. The harsh realities of violence like the shooting of Chantel is not easy to deal with. We need to eradicate the systemic racism in the justice system that will prevent the compounding effects of one tragic event that insidiously touches many lives.”

The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada and can be reached 24/7 by calling 1-855-242-3310 or visiting the website.  B.C.’s crisis line can be reached at 1-800-SUICIDE any time. The national line is 1-833-456-4566.