The following is excerpted from the (Toronto) Globe and Mail, May 31,
1997:
BEARWALKER STILL HAUNTS SOME OJIBWAY
* Court prompts debate by finding killer not guilty based on spiritual
belief in evil being *
by Brian Laghi, Canadian Press
'Edmonton - The evil spirit that Leon Jacko said made him bludgeon a man
to death is so fearsome that it is acceptable among some Ojibway Indians
to use force to thwart it...
Mr. Jacko, 19, was acquitted this week of manslaughter in the
bludgeoning death of 45-year-old Ron Thompson, who was reputed to be a
bearwalker - a powerful demon that uses sorcery to trigger sickness in
people and even kill them.  An Ontario Court judge in Gore Bay on
Manitoulin Island accepted evidence that Mr. Jacko believed he was
defending himself from Mr. Thompson when he hit him with a ceremonial
walrus bone.  Both men lived on the Sheguiandah Reserve near Sudbury.
The acquittal has been praised by some as a progressive recognition of
aboriginal culture, while criticized by others because it could pave the
way for a number of similar claims.  Some have cited parallels with
other controversial religious practices that, although acceptable within
some faiths, are still contrary to criminal law...
What does not appear to be at issue is that the bearwalker is greatly
feared by some within Ojibway society.  Other native bands have their
own similar versions of the bearwalker...the bearwalker can transform
into a bird or other animal and enter the home of an intended victim.
There, the bearwalker can apply a noxious substance to make the victim
sick or ever cause death.  Any potential vivtim has the right to defend
himself, even to the point of killing...
Mr. Thompson had also boasted of having the bearwalker's powers,
something Mr. Jacko was also aware of.  The judge accepted Mr. Jacko's
claim of self-defence.'
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