KAMSACK — More than a year after a 61-year-old Keseekoose First Nation man died in RCMP custody in Kamsack, Saskatchewan’s police watchdog investigation remains ongoing.
Gerald Straightnose died at the Kamsack RCMP detachment on June 5, 2025. The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) was notified the same day and has been investigating ever since.
“This incident remains under investigation,” said Noel Busse, spokesperson for Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice on Monday. “The time it takes to complete a SIRT investigation is based on a wide variety of factors, including the amount of evidence that needs to be reviewed, the number of witnesses that need to be interviewed, and other unique factors, including external reports, that may differ from investigation to investigation.”
SIRT doesn’t issue interim or preliminary reports while an investigation is active, he said.
Under The Police Act 1990, and The Police Regulations, SIRT must issue a public report within 90 days of an investigation ending.
Straightnose’s family has previously raised concerns about the circumstances of his death and called for an independent investigation by the Saskatchewan Coroners Service.
Police said Straightnose was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants. He had appeared in court on June 4, 2025, and was scheduled to return on June 6, 2025.
According to a media release issued by SIRT last year, on June 3, 2025, an individual approached a member of the Kamsack RCMP detachment during Kamsack Provincial Court and said that a family member had outstanding arrest warrants he wanted to deal with.
Straightnose was taken into custody without incident or use of force.
He was taken to the Kamsack RCMP detachment, where he was searched and given an opportunity to speak with a lawyer. He was then placed in one of the detachment cells.
The next day, he appeared in court via CCTV and was held in custody until his next scheduled court appearance on June 6.
But on June 5, at about 7:02 p.m. he was found unresponsive in his cell. About an hour and half later, EMS arrived at the detachment and pronounced him dead.
SIRT is investigating the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding his arrest and the cause of his death.
Family wants answers
Straightnose’s family described him as a caring father and grandfather who struggled with addiction. He was a long-time leader in his community, serving as a band councillor, hunting to provide food for relatives and community members, and supporting traditional ceremonies.
The family has expressed a lack of confidence in the SIRT investigation and has asked for a separate Coroners Service investigation into the circumstances surrounding Straightnose’s death.
Prisoner advocate Sherri Gordon said Straightnose is being remembered during a Justice Walk for all, a family-led walk from Kamsack to Regina. The walk began in Kamsack on Aug. 24 and is expected to pass through Wroxton, Yorkton, Melville, and Fort Qu’Appelle before reaching its final destination at RCMP headquarters in Regina on Aug. 27.
“This family should not have to walk hundreds of kilometres simply to keep Gerald’s name visible and have their questions taken seriously,” said Gordon. “Their journey represents not only their grief, but also the experiences of many Indigenous families who have lost loved ones in correctional, police or RCMP custody and have then been forced to fight for information, transparency and meaningful accountability.”
Gordon said the organizers of the walk are accepting assistance with fuel, food, drinking water and accommodations for participants.
-With files by Devan Tasa
