‘We grieve and we are angry:’ Chiefs blame feds, province in wake of homicide

By John Chilibeck  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The six Chiefs of the Wolastoqey Nation in New Brunswick have reacted angrily to the death of Sheri Sabattis, the sister of an Indigenous chief who police say was a homicide victim last weekend. In a statement issued late Thursday, the chiefs blamed provincial and federal authorities for not ensuring First Nation laws were enforced. Sabattis, 54, a member of Oromocto First Nation, was the younger sister of Chief Shelley Sabattis. The accused, Jared Smith, 38, of nearby Burton, is not a member of Oromocto First Nation or any Wolastoqey community. He had earlier been banished by the Oromocto chief and council from entering the community, a measure police do not enforce. He made a brief court appearance Monday, but because he didn’t…

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