First Nations leaders demand explanation from RCMP for Indigenous man's death in police custody

First Nations leaders in B.C.'s Cariboo region are asking RCMP to explain the death of ayoung Indigenous man while in custody at the Williams Lake RCMPdetachment.

Surrance Myers, 21, a member of the Tilhqot'in First Nation, died Saturday around 4:50 a.m., more than four hours after the police stopped his moped,arrested him and put him incells at the local RCMP detachment, according to apolice statement.

Mounties say the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C. is looking into the in-custody death to see what role police action or inaction may have played in the incident.

The Tilhqot'in National Government (TNG) and theYuneit'in Government, a subgroup of theTilhqot'inFirst Nation, aredemanding an explanation.

"As of the morning of October 3rd, the immediate family has received noinformation as to what happened to their son," theysaid in a statement.

"The TNG has long called for the RCMP, specifically in Williams Lake, to overhaul their training to include cultural sensitivity in order to be better equipped to handle the diverse needs of Indigenous peoples.

"The Williams Lake RCMP detachment also needs First Nation Liaisons to ensure Indigenous people's safety while in custody."

Tsilhqot'inNits'ilin(Chief) Joe Alphonse compares Myers's death to the case of Williams Lake First Nation member Rojan Alphonse, who died at 36 at his home in July after local Mounties had responded to a call about a man with a weapon who was contemplating self-harm.

Though the circumstances of both deaths are still under investigation,the chiefsuspectspolice mistreatment.

"The ongoing mistreatment dealings with Indigenous people [in] Williams Lake [are] getting out of hand," he said.

Vigil held

On Sunday evening, Myers's family held a vigil outside the RCMP detachment, with dozens in attendance drumming and singingto mourn their loss.

Myers's father, Casey Myers, says he learned about his son's death from a family member Saturday evening and doesn't knowwhy Myers was detained.

"We have no clue why he went to jail."

Myers said Surrance worked two jobs seven days a week and says he last heard from him onThursday.

"He seemed fine."

Myers says an autopsy and toxicology testshave been scheduled for Oct. 5 in Prince George.

The IIO is asking any person with information about Myers's death to contact its toll-free hotline at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.