Daughter speaks out after Mounties charged in death of Indigenous man in Prince George
CTV News has learned that four of five RCMP officers facing charges in the death of an Indigenous man during an arrest in Prince George are still on active duty.
35-year-old Dale Culver went into medical distress after being tackled to the ground and pepper-sprayed by officers as he exited a store in July of 2017.
Grainy cell phone video shot in the dark by witnesses shows several people in a scuffle on the ground as more RCMP vehicles arrive with their lights and sirens activated.
After Culver complained of shortness of breath when placed in an RCMP cruiser, paramedics were called, but he would die in hospital a short time later.
"We see these continued occurrences in Canada where racialized people, especially First Nations people, get killed or harmed in grievous ways,” said Meghan McDermott of the BC Civil Liberties Association.
More than five and a half years after Culver lost his life that night in Prince George, two Mounties have been charged with manslaughter and three others face charges of attempting to obstruct justice for allegedly trying to delete cell phone video shot by witnesses.
Lily Speed-Namox, Culver’s oldest daughter, was 14 at the time of her father’s death.
The now-20-year-old carries some of her father’s cremated ashes in a necklace around her neck.
"I literally and figuratively carry him in my heart,” Speed-Namox said. "So, part of him did, I guess, get to see me graduate. It would have been nice to actually have him there, but it was good to know he was there with me in spirit."
While she’s happy to learn of the charges against the officers involved, she is disappointed in the length of time it has taken the justice system to get to this point.
The Independent Investigations Office, B.C.’s civilian body responsible for police oversight, first delivered a report to Crown recommending charges in July of 2019.
"I hope no other family has to wait this long for justice for their family member. In any other circumstances, if the roles were reversed, it wouldn't have taken this long,” Speed-Namox said.
Culver’s son was four years old at the time of his death, and his youngest daughter was just six months old.
Speed-Namox is grateful for the cherished memories of her father that she carries with her, but devastated for her younger siblings.
"It's sad that I won't be able to have any of those anymore,” she said. “And my little sister will never get to experience that and my little brother probably won't remember any experiences he did have like that."
Constables Paul Ste-Marie and Jean Francois Monette are charged with manslaughter.
Constables Arthur Dalman and Clarence MacDonald, along with Sgt. Bayani Cruz, stand accused of attempting to obstruct justice.
BC RCMP says Macdonald is on administrative leave for reasons unrelated to the events surrounding Culver’s death and the other four continue to serve in operational active duty roles.
“Their duty status is subject to continuous assessment,” BC RCMP said in a statement. “The RCMP is also seeking to obtain additional information in order to inform our internal processes."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 investigates | Priest, neighbours issue plea for help for struggling international students in Cape Breton
Cape Breton University has more than doubled in size by enrolling thousands of international students, and critics say the campus and community weren't ready. Watch the documentary 'Cash Cow' on CTV W5, Saturday at 7 p.m.

Afghan women cyclists who escaped the Taliban are chasing their dreams in Canada
After the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan and banned sports for female athletes, Afghan women cyclists are chasing their dreams in Canada.
Unable to leave Syria, mothers of Canadian children forfeit repatriation to keep their families together
In a choice forced upon them by the Canadian government, four mothers have made the agonizing decision to forfeit an opportunity to repatriate their children from open air prisons in northeast Syria.
Recent immigrants more likely to have confidence in Parliament, Canadian media: Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada has released its new report about the Canadians level of confidence in Canada’s institutions, finding that recent immigrants are more likely to express confidence in the media and parliament.
Federal minimum wage, taxes on alcohol: Here's what's changing in Canada April 1
The federal minimum wage is increasing from $15.55 per hour to $16.65, and taxes are going up on gas and alcohol nationwide starting April 1.
A glass of wine or beer per day is fine for your health: new study
A new Canadian study of 4.8 million people says a daily alcoholic drink isn't likely to send anyone to an early grave, nor will it offer any of the health benefits touted by previous studies, even if it is organic red wine.
MP Han Dong issues libel notice to Global News over China interference reporting
Lawyers representing Toronto MP Han Dong served Global News with a libel notice on Friday over reports that alleged he spoke to a Chinese diplomat in February 2021 about delaying the release of the two Michaels, and that he was a 'witting affiliate' of Chinese interference networks – allegations that Dong denies.
Here's what to expect from the Canadian cottage market this year
A recent report from Royal LePage is predicting a drop in prices for Canadian cabins and cottages this year as demand softens from economic uncertainty and low housing stock.
Interim RCMP commissioner would support Criminal Code changes for stricter gun laws
Interim RCMP commissioner Michael Duheme says he would support the Criminal Code changes recommended in the Mass Casualty Commission report to implement stricter gun laws.