Peaceful protest held for murdered Indigenous woman

By Lethbridge Herald on March 7, 2026.

Herald photo by ALEXANDRA NOAD Family and friends of Ginnean Briggs Scout hold a small demonstration prior to the bail hearing of Garry Dean Brown at the Lethbridge Court House on Thursday.

By Alexandra Noad

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter-Lethbridge Herald

A young Indigenous woman, who was murdered in September of 2024, was described by her father as a firecracker who also very empathetic with a big heart.

Charmayne Briggs Scout says she remembers the day she found out her sister Ginnean Briggs Scout was killed as if it was yesterday.

On the evening of Sept. 19, 2024 Charmayne received a call from her father, James Briggs, saying the police needed to speak with her. Once she got to her dad’s home the police broke the news that her sister had died.

Charmayne says it took a minute to process what she was told.

“It took a couple of seconds for it to kick in, to realize what (the police officer) told me.”

62-year-old Garry Dean Brown has been charged with second-degree murder after the body of Ginnean was found near Oyen, Alta. and has a trial set for September of this year.

Prior to a bail hearing held on Thursday at the Lethbridge Court House, a demonstration was done by the family of the diseased.

Briggs says he sees no reason as to why Brown should be released after taking the life of his daughter.

“The fact that you took somebody’s life why are they even toying with the idea of bail? It makes no sense to me.”

He adds that dealing with the death of his daughter has taken a toll on him both emotionally and physically.

Homicide rates of Indigenous women is six times higher than the rate of non-Indigenous women, according to statistics Canada.

Briggs says while people are becoming more aware of the issues Indigenous women face, more still could be done.

“It’s important to bring this stuff out and let people know. You take the statistics of how many First Nations people are in this country and how many murdered and missing Indigenous people there are-it’s insane.”

After moving to Lethbridge in 1995 from Calgary, Briggs says he was shocked to see the amount of racism here, especially considering its proximity to the Blood Reserve-the largest reserve in Canada.

From having parents tell their children to not play with his kids to people speaking to his wife and children in a rude manner, Briggs says a lot more needs to be done when it comes to racism.

“People are starting to recognize it, which is good-it’s always good to promote and bring that (awareness), but at the same time there’s still a lot to do.”

A decision for the bail hearing will be held next Thursday, March 12 at 9 a.m. and another peaceful demonstration in honour of Ginnean will be held simultaneously to the hearing outside of the court house.