Hobbema elder calls for end to code of silence

Band members must break the silence around crime at Hobbema, Alta.,says an elder with the Samson Cree First Nation, following the shootingdeath of five-year-old Ethan Yellowbird.

"There is a kind of a code of silence in our community and that needs to be broken," said Roy Lewis.

The boy, a grandson of Samson Cree ChiefMarvin Yellowbird,was asleep in his father's house whenitwas raked bygunfire about 3:30 a.m. MTMonday.

An autopsy Tuesday showed he died from a bullet wound to his head.

"There are issues that need to be addressed, we still have a handful of gang members within our community, and we know that, we know who they are," said Lewis.

"We still have unresolved homicides because no one wants to talk," he said. "Were still afraid of retaliation."

Getting people on the reserve to talkis thebiggest challenge in the investigation, said Sgt.Tim Taniguichi.

"When it comes to gang activity theres always that mode where people dont want to talk or feartalking with police," he said.

Police are asking the public for help and for those involved inthe shootingto come forward.No arrests have been made.

Shooting a stark reminder, says chief

Early Tuesday, Shawn Atleo, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations said Yellowbird's death is a stark statement on the realities all First Nations face.

"I want to begin by expressing our most sincerecondolences on behalf of the entire assembly to the family of the young boy who was tragically killed in Hobbema," he said. "Our thoughts and our prayers are certainlywith the family and the community."

Atleo, who said hefeels personally connected to theSamson Cree First Nation,called theshootinga horrible tragedy and senseless violence.

"Particularly, as the chief communicated to us, they felt they were making some progress, some positive progress, in dealing with violence on reserve," he said.

The Samson Cree First Nation has been plagued by drug and gang violence, even asband leaders and police have struggled to make the reserve safer since the 2008 shooting of 23-month-old Asia Saddleback.

The violence, Atleo said, isnot isolated to Hobbema, butplaguesall reserves across Canada.

He called on leaders gathered for the assembly to show courage and stand firm against violence.

"It's about accepting our collective responsibility," he said, "to make sure our childrenare safe; that the women in our communities are safe."

"Let's do our best to fight for our rights and the rights of the little boy in Samson," Atleo said.