'It's not right': Tanner Brass' mother speaks after Sask. 13-month old's death
The mother of 13-month-old Tanner Brass spoke briefly at a Saskatoon hotel Friday, demanding justice for her and her family.
Kyla Frenchman, a Prince Albert, Sask. woman who is also a member of Thunderchild Cree Nation, shared some memories of how her baby boy was always excited to watch Blue’s Clues and always stood beside her when she filled the bathtub full of water.
“Tanner was a happy baby, he always loved to get up in the morning,” she said, before the women supporting her at the front of the room asked why it was important for her to be speaking Friday.
“To get justice for my baby. It’s not right. No woman should have to go through this,” Frenchman said.
Frenchman spoke at a joint news conference organized by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), Prince Albert Grand Council, and Thunderchild First Nation to address “recent developments” in the case surrounding Tanner Brass’ death.
On Feb. 10, at 5:44 a.m. police were called to a home in the 200 block of 23rd Street West where a family dispute had been reported. Frenchman was taken into custody.
Roughly five hours later, police were called back to the home after a homicide involving a child was reported. Tanner's father Kaij Brass has been charged with second-degree murder in his death.
Frenchman prepared a note, but couldn’t bring herself to speak like she originally planned. Instead, her lawyer Eleanore Sunchild read the note.
Sunchild detailed how Frenchman contacted police because she feared for Tanner's safety and was fleeing from a potentially dangerous or violent situation. She said Frenchman was taken into custody, alleging police accused her of being drunk.
“They took my baby away from me. They did not care about him or his life. I still believe Tanner would be alive today if they had listened to me,” Sunchild said, reading Frenchman’s note.
A news release from Prince Albert police issued March 10 announced Chief Jonathan Bergen turned the matter over to the Saskatchewan Public Complaints Commission (PCC). Bergen also suspended the two responding officers from active duty pending the outcome of the PCC investigation, which also includes looking into three senior supervisory officers working the day Tanner Brass died.
The Prince Albert Police Service declined to comment on the investigation.
After what Frenchman has gone through, FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron has no faith in the PCC investigation.
“Police investigating police will fail,” he said. “The Public Complaints Commission that was supposed to be happening will fail because there's no First Nation inclusion. Give it up, throw it away. Throw it out the window because it's gonna fail. We already know what's wrong.”
Cameron continued by repeating previous demands for an overhaul of the justice system and more Indigenous representation within it.
“We cannot afford to continue down the same path where these tragedies can be easily avoided,” Cameron said.
Cameron also wants the officers in charge and the officers responding to Frenchman’s call last month to be fired immediately without pay and be held accountable.
“We are going to support her, we are going to go the distance — even if we have to die going the distance,” Cameron said.
“People must be held accountable and got to be held accountable now.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029443.1725744633!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
BREAKING Manhunt underway for suspect after several people shot in Kentucky near Interstate 75, officials say
Several people have been shot near Interstate 75 in Laurel County, Kentucky, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s office.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
No more porta-potties at B.C. construction sites starting Oct. 1
What some B.C. construction workers describe as the worst aspect of their jobs will be coming to an end next month, the province announced.
'Hopeless and helpless': Regina mother seeks help to treat rare spinal disease
Mary Grace Rico is seeking help in getting treatment for a rare spinal condition.
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
Trump campaigns in Wisconsin just days ahead of debate with Harris
With just days to go before his first — and likely only — debate against U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, former U.S. president Donald Trump leaned into his familiar grievances about everything from his indictments to the border as he campaigned in one of the most deeply Republican swaths of battleground Wisconsin.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.