FSIN VICE CHIEF SUPPORTS THE APPEAL OF ODELIA AND NERISSA QUEWEZANCE
- Jan 19, 2023
- 2 min read
Treaty 6 Territory, Saskatoon SK – The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Vice Chief Aly Bear testified at Court of King’s Bench in Yorkton, Sask. in support of two First Nations sisters convicted of second-degree murder in 1994.
Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance were sentenced to life in prison and have been incarcerated for 30 years. They say they were wrongfully convicted and have been fighting for their freedom.
They were accused of murdering 70-year-old farmer Anthony Joseph Dolff in February, 1993 near Kamsack, Sask.
A male cousin of the Quewezance sisters’ who was 14-years-old at the time, confessed to the murder of Dolff and admitted that the girls were not involved in the stabbing of Dolff, according to information gathered by Quewezance’s legal counsel, Innocence Canada lawyer James Lockyer from Toronto.
The sisters have always maintained their innocence. Vice Chief Aly Bear testified for the defense and was cross-examined by the crown prosecutor January 17, 2023. She says the case is “heartbreaking”, especially to see the children of Odelia Quewezance in court and learn of their childhood without their mother.
“It’s just another example of how First Nations women’s voices are being silenced by a racist, patriarchal justice system. They have served 30 years of hard time for a crime they did not commit. The facts of the case show the women deserve more than bail, they deserve exoneration for this crime and retribution for the miscarriage of justice,” said FSIN Vice Chief Aly Bear.
Members of the FSIN women’s department are also attending court to show support.
“Our First Nation women in Saskatchewan make up 85 percent of the population in federal custody, a staggering statistic that should not be ignored. This case sheds light on the over-incarceration of First Nations in Canada. We know within the walls of prisons across Canada there are many more wrongful convictions. Many of our people are rotting away without proper legal representation,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron.
These sisters are from Keeseekoose First Nation. Oledia Quewezance was 20-years-old, and her sister was 18-years-old when they were arrested. They disclosed to the court that they suffered childhood sexual abuse, including sex trafficking. They are both residential school survivors.
For more information please contact:
Lisa Risom
Director of Communications
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations
10 - 134 Kahkewistahaw Crescent Treaty Six Territory
Saskatoon, SK S7R 0M9
Cell: 306-987-0505 | FSIN Office: 306-914-6815
Email: communications@fsin.com
