EDMUNDSTON, N.B. — The young Indigenous Port Alberni woman who was shot and killed by police in Edmundston, N.B., last week was remembered Thursday as a kind soul who united family from both sides of the country.
A private funeral service for Chantel Moore, 26, was held in the New Brunswick community where she had moved three months ago to be near her mother and six-year-old daughter. Another gathering to honour the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation member is scheduled to take place in Victoria next week.
A picture of Moore sat atop her casket as firekeepers sang a healing song and family members consoled each other.
"We remember your gentle face and warm smile," said Mary Martin, Moore's grandmother. "You always had a kind word for everyone around you."
Martin said Moore's passing had left an enormous hole in their hearts.
"You will never be forgotten. You will always be remembered as the sweetest soul who now watches over us. No one will ever replace you," she said.
A dozen family members from British Columbia arrived earlier this week to support family in New Brunswick.
Members of the Wolastoqey people in New Brunswick expressed their sympathies at Thursday's service and said a prayer to celebrate Moore's life.
A paddle, which was a gift to the family, was placed near the casket as a show of the connection between family in British Columbia and New Brunswick.
Much of the ceremony was focused on healing, and a number of healing walks are planned for a number of communities in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia on Saturday in memory of Moore.
One of the firekeepers said "love is the key and that is what this family has shown."
"Chantel was love. She was sunshine," he said.
According to her obituary, Moore leaves behind her parents Eugene Moore and Martha Martin, her six-year-old daughter Gracie, her brother Mike Martin, and sisters Courtney and Kaylee Martin.
A healing gathering is also scheduled for 4-6:30 p.m. June 18 at the legislature in Victoria. A Facebook invitation said it will honour Moore and “acknowledge racism and police brutality as it relates to Indigenous communities in Canada.”
Organizers of the gathering said the goal is to “echo love, not hate.”
“So bring your Indigenous spirit, sage for smudges, drums, sacred pipes, red shawls and moccasins.”
There will be a moment of silence for Moore and people are asked to wear yellow in her memory. COVID-19 measures will be in place, with masks required and social distancing being respected as much as possible.
People wishing to speak are asked to contact organizers in advance.
Moore's death is being investigated by Quebec's independent police investigation agency, the Bureau des enquetes independantes.
Edmundston police have said the shooting occurred after an officer performing a wellness check allegedly encountered a woman with a knife.
There have been calls for a broader inquiry to examine systemic bias against Indigenous people in the province's policing and criminal justice systems.
New Brunswick's minister of Aboriginal affairs backed the call for the inquiry Wednesday, saying the province has a problem with systemic racism toward Indigenous people.
Jake Stewart said he believes a separate inquiry to examine systemic racism in policing and the justice system could begin before the BEI files its report.
He said such an inquiry would be separate from the investigation into Moore's death and said he would bring the idea to cabinet.
