(Ottawa, Ont – August 31, 2026) Today, Barbara Kentner’s family and First Nations Leadership are standing together in Ottawa to demand accountability and systemic change following the decision to grant full parole to Brayden Bushby, who was convicted of manslaughter in Barbara’s death.

Barbara’s family and community have carried the impacts of her death for nearly a decade. They are raising serious concerns about whether their voices were meaningfully included in the recent parole process and how Bushby’s well documented conduct, including racist and hate-related behavior, previous breaches of conditional release, and substance-related concerns was weighed in assessing risk to the public.

“We want to know why the Parole Board has not communicated with any member of the Kentner family when some of us registered in the victim’s portal.  They know our emails, for some of us, our cellphones haven’t changed since 2017 and still we were not invited to participate in the parole process as victims,” said Melissa Kentner, sister of Barbara Kenter.

First Nations Leadership are calling for clear accountability, meaningful review mechanisms, stronger parole risk assessments, and dedicated, culturally safe support for First Nations victims and families. These changes matter to everyone. Canadians must be able to trust that serious risk factors including racism, hate-related behaviors, and previous breaches, are fully considered before someone is released into the community.

“Our hearts are with Barbara Kentner’s family today. They have carried so much — the loss of their loved one, years of waiting for justice, and now this. No family should have to go through what they have been through.

What weighs on me most is learning that Barbara’s family may not have even been told this hearing was taking place. They were represented by impact statements made years ago, while Brayden Bushby was able to speak to who he is today. Barbara’s family deserved that same opportunity. They deserved to be in the room. They deserved to be heard.

The Board’s own decision notes troubling behaviour and attitudes. We are left asking the questions that any grieving family would ask — whether their loved one’s life was given the weight it deserved, and whether they received the same care and consideration from the justice system that others would expect.

Barbara Kentner was a sister, a daughter, and a friend. She is deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, and we will continue to walk alongside them.” said Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

First Nations Leadership are also calling for a dedicated, proactive, culturally safe support service for First Nations victim and families navigating the federal corrections and parole system. Families should be informed directly of hearings and decisions, supported in exercising their rights, and provided with a clear point of contact throughout the process. No grieving family should be left to navigate a complex federal system on their own.

“Barbara’s family deserves answers, and Canadians deserve confidence that decisions about public safety fully account for an individual’s complete record of behaviour and risk. First Nations families should not have to fight to be informed or heard. We are calling for greater accountability, stronger consideration of anti-Indigenous racism and hate in risk assessments, and a dedicated system of support for First Nations victim and families,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict.

“We stand with Barbara’s family and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. The decision to grant full parole to the person responsible for Barbara’s death is a miscarriage of justice and sends an unacceptable message to our people. Our people should not have to continually fight to have our lives valued and our families treated with dignity by the justice system. We expect justice. We expect accountability. And we will continue to demand both,” said Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Council Treaty #3.

Following this morning’s press conference on Parliament Hill, Barbara’s family, First Nations Leadership, and supporters will march to the Parole Board of Canada National Office for a public demonstration and remarks.

Barbara’s family and community deserve accountability. First Nations Peoples and all Canadians deserve confidence that Canada’s justice, corrections, and parole systems recognize the realities of anti-Indigenous racism and violence and take public safety seriously.

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The Chiefs of Ontario supports all First Nations in Ontario as they assert their sovereignty, jurisdiction, and their chosen expression of nationhood. Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn @ChiefsOfOntario

Media Contacts:

Isak Vaillancourt, Communications Manager
Chiefs of Ontario
Telephone: 416-819-8184
Email: isak.vaillancourt@coo.org

Michael Heintzman, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca

Communications Team, Grand Council Treaty #3
CommunicationsTeam@treaty3.ca 1-877-880-5638