Jon Wells, a 42-year-old man from the Blood Tribe in southern Alberta, has been identified as the individual who died in Calgary Police Service custody. Wells was known as a kind and accomplished steer wrestler, having been the 2012 INFR Steer Wrestling Tour Champion in North America. Eugene Creighton, who worked with Wells in the rodeo community, described him as a dedicated man who excelled in his sport while balancing work and family responsibilities. Wells was highly competitive and always aimed to win in rodeo competitions.
Wells passed away on Sept. 17 after Calgary police officers responded to a disturbance at the Carriage House Inn, where Wells was reportedly acting erratically and refusing to leave. Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, officers used a taser and pepper spray on Wells when he did not cooperate. Shortly after being taken into custody, Wells went into medical distress and died at the scene despite efforts from EMS. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Wells’ death.
The tragic incident involving Wells is just one of several recent police altercations resulting in the deaths of Indigenous individuals in Canada. Wells is the eighth Indigenous person to die in such circumstances since August 29, leading to an emergency parliamentary debate and calls for accountability and action. Michelle Robinson, an Indigenous advocate and community member, voiced the need for the implementation of the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada to prevent further deaths like Wells’. She emphasized the importance of turning reports into action and enacting real change.
Robinson expressed the community’s trauma at witnessing yet another death in a similar manner to past incidents, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change within law enforcement and society. Advocates are pushing for concrete actions and reforms to address the inequalities and injustices faced by Indigenous people, especially in encounters with police. The ongoing investigations into incidents involving Indigenous individuals serve as a stark reminder of the systemic issues that must be addressed to prevent further harm and loss of life.
The death of Jon Wells has deeply impacted the Blood Tribe community and the rodeo community as a whole, where he was well-respected and admired for his talent and dedication. His passing serves as a somber reminder of the need for improved relations between law enforcement and Indigenous communities, as well as the broader societal changes required to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals. The ASIRT investigation into Wells’ death will hopefully shed light on the circumstances and lead to meaningful reforms that prevent similar tragedies in the future. Ultimately, the goal is to honor Wells’ memory by striving for justice, accountability, and reconciliation in the face of systemic challenges and historical injustices.
