(Ottawa, Ontario – Aug 27, 2026) First Nations Leadership and members of Barbara Kentner’s family will hold a press conference and march on Parliament Hill on Monday, August 31, 2026, to demand accountability following the decision to grant full parole to the man convicted of manslaughter in her death.

Barbara Kentner, a member of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, was struck by a trailer hitch thrown from a moving vehicle by Brayden Bushby in Thunder Bay in 2017 and later died from complications related to her injury. Bushby was charged with manslaughter.

The decision to grant Brayden Bushby full parole has renewed serious concerns for Barbara’s family and First Nations Leadership across the Ontario region. During his time in federal corrections and conditional release-system, Bushby had his day parole revoked following violations, failed to report a vehicle collision to his case management team, obtained a Confederate flag tattoo, and was observed cutting a swastika into the lawn of a federal institution.

For Barbara’s family and First Nations Leadership, these are not isolated or insignificant incidents. They raise serious concerns about how racism, hate-related conduct, repeated breaches, and risks to Indigenous women are assessed within Canada’s parole system.

Speakers will call for accountability for how this decision was reached, stronger considerations of racism and violence against Indigenous women in parole assessments, and dedicated, culturally safe supports for First Nations victims and families navigating the federal corrections and parole system.

Speakers* include:

  • Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
  • Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Council Treaty #3
  • Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
  • Connie Kentner, Family Representative

*Speaker list subject to change

Members of the media are invited to attend as follows:

  • Date: Monday, August 31, 2026
  • Time: 10:00 am ET
  • Location: Room 135B, West Block, 111 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A4.

Participation in the question-and-answer portion of this event is in person or via Zoom and is for accredited members of the Press Gallery only.

Media who are not members of the Press Gallery may contact pressres2@parl.gc.ca for temporary access.

Public Demonstration

Supporters are invited to meet at the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill (111 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A4) at 11:00 am ET, where the march will begin following the press conference.

Participants will then walk together to the Parole Board of Canada National Office, 410 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, for a public demonstration and remarks.

All supporters are encouraged to attend and wear red in solidarity with Barbara Kentner’s family and First Nations calling for justice and systemic change.

View the full poster here.

Hosted by the Chiefs of Ontario, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Grand Council Treaty #3, and Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation.

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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 Contact:

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