Hi everyone, 

Today I attended the second and final day of Odelia and Nerissa’s bail hearings in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. It’s been an emotional two days and I wanted to update you on what’s happened as soon as possible. 

Here’s where we’re at right now:

• Unfortunately, the judge informed us that he is going on vacation for 4 weeks starting this Friday - which means that he will not deliver his decision for about 6-8 weeks. 
  
  
• Because of the delay his vacation will cause, the judge agreed to write a letter of recommendation for Odelia to be transferred back to the Eagle Women’s Lodge as soon as tomorrow. This is great news because Odelia is currently on day parole, living at a halfway house in Regina — where she told the court she has been struggling, saying that she has witnessed people overdosing. Odelia’s partner Jay Koch said: “The drug overdoses there occur every day. The place where she’s staying there are four people sharing a bathroom. One leaves her needles all over the place.” At the Eagle Women’s Lodge, Odelia will have access to culturally-appropriate support and be in a safe environment while she awaits the judge’s final decision.
  
  
• The judge has asked the sisters’ legal team to provide a more detailed release plan within the next 2 weeks, which will be reviewed on a call on February 23 when he returns. He said that if he sees a more detailed release plan, he would be more inclined to grant bail. 

This may not be the outcome we were hoping for but it is a step in the right direction. Odelia and Nerissa, their loved ones, and all the advocates supporting their case are saddened that justice will be delayed any longer when it’s already so long overdue. This week was the first time all four Quewezance sisters had been together in 30 years. Saying goodbye again tonight was really hard — but despite that everyone remains strong and hopeful. 

Thanks again to all 60,000+ of you for your continued support. It certainly did not go unnoticed in court these past two days.  

You can watch/read more about the hearings here. I will keep you posted as we get more news in the coming weeks. 

In solidarity, 
Nicole