Sentencing submissions were presented in court for a youth who has pleaded guilty in connection to a 2025 death on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation. The youth, who cannot be named in keeping with the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, faces one count of manslaughter in the death of Drew Jack. In the early morning hours of March 21, 2025, Jack was shot and killed following a verbal and physical altercation on a rural road in the community. The case is not connected to the quadruple homicide that occurred on the First Nation on Feb. 4, 2025. Over 20 of Jack’s supporters showed up for sentencing submissions. Nearly all of them were wearing red shirts with emblazoned with Jack’s picture. Five of the ten victim impact statements submitted were read in court. They included one from Jack’s mother and another from his sister. Those who spoke remembered Jack as a protector and a family man. Mental health, anxiety, and a loss of safety were a common thread shared among the statements. The Crown made its submissions, asking for three years in custody, which is the maximum youth sentence for manslaughter. Because the youth has already been in custody for 486 days, this time would be deducted from the three-year sentence. With the remaining 24 months, the Crown is asking for 16 months of closed custody, followed by eight months of community supervision. The defence is asking for six months in closed custody, followed by 12 months of open custody. The final six months will be served under community custody. A final decision is scheduled for Aug 20.
