Systemic racism is a very real and very violent endemic that has primarily impacted black and indigenous folk in the Americas and beyond for far too long. 

On Mother’s Day, 2020, the police decided to unnecessarily show up and bully us out of our house with spotlights. Although we committed no crime, police officers Tyler Bell-Morena and Valerie Briffa wanted to abuse their power and teach a black woman a lesson for saying things they didn’t like. 

They escalated the interaction and although both Michael and I were unarmed and non-threatening, we were both tased by Tyler and then I (Chantelle) was shot by Valerie in my lower abdomen resulting in the fracturing of my right hip.

That night, I nearly lost  my life to systemic racism, I am now disabled and Valerie was given a slap on the wrist and conditional withdrawal after she does 18 months probation. 

This isn’t our first experience with colonial violence. It exists on so many levels and we have both endured the very heavy impacts of systemic racism long before this incident.  Since the shooting, however, we have been using our voices and the platforms we’ve gained access to to help bring to light the gruesome truth and help create change that leads to abolition of racist, colonial systems and the building of united, peaceful communities and community-led systems.

Since the shooting, our businesses have fallen to the wayside as Michael had to become my PSW. Then, an unexpected miracle occurred in June of 2021, just 13 months and 11 days after the shooting, with the birth of our son, King.

Since the shooting, the fight for justice, uniting the families of victims of police violence and using our case to help expose the truth has been our focus and we plan on continuing to do the work as long as there is breath in our bodies.

And although many seem to think we are to be receiving funds from the police, what’s often forgotten is what a long and gruelling process civil suits can be. Some go on for a decade! In the mean time, we are struggling to keep up with how our lives have changed. 

I cannot cook for my family anymore, so unfortunately, ordering in has been our only option and is very expensive.

We need help in the home.

We need to maintain reliable transportation.

mobility equipment (scooter, cane, stair lift, etc)

personal trainer 

physio and chiropractic costs not covered by OHIP

Please help support our work as we continue to speak our truth, help unite families and communities and help build foundations and organizations that will lead to meaningful change for future generations!