International observers monitor Day 2 of the sentencing hearing of Indigenous land defenders in Canadian court

Published by Brent Patterson on October 16, 2025 October 16, 2025

Photo: Gathering in front of the Provincial Court of British Columbia in Smithers on the morning of October 16, 2025.

Peace Brigades International-Canada, Amnesty International and Front Line Defenders continue to closely monitor the sentencing hearing of three Indigenous land defenders – Sleydo’(Molly Wickham), Shaylynn Sampson and Corey “Jayohcee” Jocko – in a courtroom in Smithers, British Columbia.

The sentencing hearing began yesterday, Wednesday October 15, and continues today. It is expected to conclude tomorrow, Friday October 17.

Yesterday, the Interior News reported that the B.C. Prosecution Service is seeking a custodial sentence (time in a provincial jail) for the three defenders. The Crown is seeking 30 days for Sleydo, 25 days for Jocko, and 20 days for Sampson. This would be reduced for time already served (ranging for 6 to 8 days) and by a further 2 to 5 days for the Charter violations they experienced when arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Community-Industry Response Group (C-IRG) on November 19, 2021.

Today, defence lawyer Frances Mahon argued for a sentence of “time served” (time already served while in custody at the time of their arrest) for the land defenders and that if the Court were to sentence additional time that should be a conditional sentence (essentially house arrest rather than in jail).

The Interior News now reports: “Frances Mahon, defence counsel for Sleydo’ (Molly Wickham), Shaylynn Sampson, and Corey Jocko, argued this morning (Oct. 16) that time already spent in police custody following their Nov. 19, 2021 arrests should constitute a fit sentence.”

That article adds: “[Mahon] asked what message it would send to Canadians, international observers, and Indigenous people if individuals who had been treated in this manner were to receive further jail time. ‘Further jail time will further degrade the reputation of the court,’ she said. Mahon said that if the court does not accept her recommendation of time served, the remaining time should be served under house arrest.”

The Prince George Citizen further notes: “[Mahon] asked Tammen to take history into account when considering the moral blameworthiness of the three. ‘Colonization created the problem that the Wet’suwet’en Nation faces to this day in its constant struggle to have the Canadian government affirm their title in a meaningful and lasting way.’”

Justice Michael Tammen will issue his ruling on the sentencing of the three land defenders tomorrow, Friday October 17 starting at 11:00 am PST.

Additional reading: British Columbia Prosecution Service seeks jail time for three Indigenous land defenders arrested on Wet’suwet’en territory and International human rights organizations to monitor sentencing of Indigenous land defenders criminalized by Canada.