Letter from Nancy Dawson to the
National Chief, Assembly of First Nations

March 24, 2000

National Chief Phil Fontaine
Ottawa, Ontario

Dear Chief Fontaine:

On August 13, 1999, 47 hours after he was brought to the hospital, my son Anthany James Dawson died at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, while in police custody. Naturally, I want to find out why. At first I was told it was an alcohol and drug overdose and it was proven, through blood tests, that there were no alcohol and drugs in his system. They then informed me that it was "an apparent heart attack". The autopsy reports clearly states that there is no evidence of a heart attack.

What had happened was that an ambulance was called as Anthany was apparently moaning and holding his head at a busy intersection here in Victoria. WITNESSES say that when the police arrived, one or more police officers punched Anthany repeatedly in the head or chest, and put him in a headlock or choke hold. In addition, a citizen directed by the Victoria City Police, sat on my son's chest for a significant period of time. Witnesses estimate the man to weigh approximately 250 lbs. During all of this, witnesses say that Anthany offered no resistance to police or to the man who sat on him. After he was beaten and sat on, an ambulance came. Witnesses say that my son was put face down on the stretcher and the man continued to sit on him before he was transported to the Royal Jubilee Hospital. He was probably dead in the ambulance; he arrived at the hospital with no blood pressure and no pulse.

Once in the hospital, it took hospital staff 40 minutes to revive my son. Then they called me. The doctor informed me in a very arrogant manner that my son had a drug and alcohol overdose, and that he had no pulse for 40 minutes and that he was brain dead and that he had been shooting up. When I finally convinced her to pay attention to his blood tests, and asked her to show me where the needle marks were, she reluctantly admitted that it was not a drug and alcohol overdose. It was only then, 9 hours after he was brought to the hospital, did they decide to do a brain scan on my son. During all of this I was treated like a second-class person…like my son and I didn't deserve their assistance.

His body was so badly beaten and bruised that you would have to be an absolute fool to say that there were no significant marks on his body. His knees, feet, arms, shoulders, were badly bruised; his face was swollen, bruised and scraped. His hands were badly bruised and scraped. I asked for x-rays to see if he had any breaks in his body as he was lying in a very strange position. When my family repeatedly asked if he was beaten the doctor said to me "I'm not going to help you get the police on this". This statement made me worry.

The next day, the doctor told me that I had two options for my son's life support. I could turn it off slowly or turn it off fast. And I hope to God that no other mother will ever have to go through this again.

We hired a lawyer and private investigator that obtained the witnesses statements. There are a lot of witness statements as this incident happened at 4:30 p.m., rush hour at a busy intersection.

We had to beg, and plead with the regional coroner to have a forensic pathologist for my son's body. I was legally advised to obtain a second forensic autopsy as well. There was no mention of an inquest, so I asked the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Chairman to call on the First Nations Summit and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs to write the Attorney General and demand an inquest. I also contacted all the First Nations in BC and asked them to write letters of support for an inquest as well. Then, and only then, were we informed that an inquest was mandatory. The inquest date was set.

However, the police haven't completed their research yet so it was postponed. This inquest has been postponed four times and now it is postponed indefinitely. Why is this happening? Our lawyers are all ready. Why is it taking so long? The coroner, who is supposed to act on behalf of the deceased, my son… will not even talk to me.

While reading the autopsy report, I discovered that they had removed my son's brain. I was devastated. They didn't ask me. They didn't even tell me. When I asked the Coroner why I wasn't notified, she thought that I was notified. I had to get my lawyer to locate my son's brain. My lawyer was informed that my son's brain was at Vancouver General Hospital and could be picked up any time….Are all Canadians treated like this?

When my son died, I told everyone, in a press release that I wanted to ensure that this never happens to another mother or family. I can never bring my son back. I will never hear from him again, nor will I ever see him walk into the house again.

As an Aboriginal family, we feel we are being pushed around and that some Canadians may even think that we aren't equal. But I tell you that we are. My son is a beautiful man and did not deserve to die. I tell you that a person of the law is there to protect you, not beat you. And I tell you that employee's of provincial agencies, such as hospitals, ambulances, police forces, and coroners; are to treat all people equal. That's all I am asking for.

Chief Fontaine, I would appreciate it very much if you could help me in finding out how and why my son died. I would appreciate help from all people here in helping me find out how and why my son died.

Thank you for your time.

Yours truly,
Nancy Dawson

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