Warning: Some readers may find details in this story disturbing.
The Parole Board of Canada revoked convicted killer Erling (Earl) Edward Waskewitch’s day parole, citing his parole was no longer manageable as a reason.
Waskewitch, now 55, was sentenced in February 2001 to life in prison with no chance of parole for 16 years for the murder of 15-year-old Priscilla Rose Horse on Onion Lake Cree Nation.
Waskewitch’s parole was revoked after he tried developing a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and didn’t seek support when he started experiencing sexual attraction toward her, said the parole board.
“The Board has determined that because you are serving a sentence for a violent murder of a teenager with strong sexual overtones to it, your previous serious and violent criminal history, your previous struggles related to sexually inappropriate behaviours, the nature of your most recent breach that again involved sexually inappropriate behaviours towards a young teen, and the absence of a viable release plan your risk on day parole is no longer manageable.”
A video hearing was held on July 26 and the parole board ruled that Waskewitch’s risk to reoffend was elevated to an undue level after his interactions with the 14-year-old girl.
Waskewitch’s Case Management Team (CMT) told the parole board that he has demonstrated a persistent lack of compliance and an escalation in behaviour, which parallels those of the murder of Priscilla Horse.
According to the parole report, on April 9, 2021, police received a complaint from a 14-year-old girl about unwanted attention from Waskewitch. The teen had met him several times in public at cultural settings and she was introduced to him through her mother.
The teen told police that Waskewitch called her and asked “if anyone was listening to the conversation and then asked if she wanted to get into some trouble, suggesting two public locations.”
She told police that she perceived Waskewitch’s comments to insinuate an invitation for sexual intercourse and hung up on him. She shared the screen shots of social media conversations that seemed to show Waskewitch repeatedly reaching out to the underage teen.
She also reported to police that after an argument with Waskewitch at a restaurant, he walked up to her and “grabbed her by the jacket and lifted her off the ground causing her to be fearful,” said the parole board.
The teen said she voiced her concerns to her mother but her mother didn’t support her so she reached out to her community leaders and contacted police.
According to parole board documents, police told Waskewitch to cease all contact with the 14-year-old and her mother.
Waskewitch admitted to police that he deleted Facebook messages he sent to the teen. Police reviewed his cell phone and noted Waskewitch sent several text messages and made numerous phone calls to the teen.
Police also learned that Waskewitch was in a vehicle alone with her without CMT permission and Waskewitch admitted that he drove her from a cultural event to her home but said no sexual contact was made.
Waskewitch admitted to having inappropriate sexual fantasies about the 14-year-old on two to three occasions.
Waskewitch told his CMT that he was trying to support the 14-year-old “in a time of need” and that her mother was aware of his contact with her.
Waskewitche’s CMT recommended that his parole be revoked and that he engage in ongoing counselling for trauma and sexual deviancy.
Waskewitch was arrested in April. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to the parole board.
Priscilla Horse’s 1997 murder
According to court records, in November 1997 Waskewitch confessed to the Battlefords RCMP that he murdered Priscilla Horse.
On Sept. 12, 1997, Priscilla Horse went to Waskewitch’s home on Onion Lake Cree Nation to get cigarettes, according to the parole board’s report. After speaking with her, Waskewitch was seen leaving the residence with her but returned alone about two-and-a-half hours later.
The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix reported that when RCMP officers searched the area in October 1997, the police officers could see Waskewitch watching them.
Previous convictions
The parole board’s report acknowledged Waskewitch’s lengthy previous criminal history with convictions for property, driving, breach of trust, assaults, kidnapping, attempted kidnapping and weapon related offences.
“You have a history of using physical violence, threats of violence and weapons, including firearms, during commission of your offending,” said the parole board.
Impacts from residential school
The parole board noted that Waskewitch, a status member of Onion Lake Cree Nation, and his family members attended residential school and that his parents lacked the proper parenting skills due to their experiences. He witnessed substance abuse, domestic violence, and his father physically abused him.
Waskewitch witnessed his mother's infidelity, and was sexually abused by an older female family member and residential school staff.
“This experience altered how you related to your mother and women in general,” said the parole board, adding that Waskewitch’s triggers to reoffend include stress, finances and not being able to access ceremonies.
The report also stated that Waskewitch had little exposure to his culture during his childhood and struggles with Indigenous teachings.
“It is clear to the Board you have been directly impacted by the historical impact of colonization and racialized government policies as per your experience, and the experience of direct family members, in the residential school system. The Board recognizes these experiences have contributed to your early involvement in the criminal justice system. The Board ensures these factors are considered in its overall risk assessment process.”
Previous paroles revoked
In January 2016 Waskewitch was granted day parole. In December 2016 he breached conditions by making sexual advances towards a cognitively challenged 18-year-old and utilized sex trade workers. In March 2017 his day parole was revoked.
In November 2019 Waskewitch was granted day parole again for six months. In February 2020 he breached his conditions by attending a birthday party and taking a photo of himself with a woman and her teenage daughter. His case management team had concerns that the teenage daughter was similar to Waskewitch’s “victim pool.”
Also in 2020, he breached his conditions by becoming involved sexually with a woman at her residence who had a professional conflict with him. His parole was suspended but later the suspension was cancelled and he was given a reprimand.
In August 2020, the parole board continued his day parole.
In late 2020, Waskewitch rented a vehicle and was allowed to travel to the woods to collect feathers and conduct a pipe ceremony. In December 2020 he bought a used vehicle. Waskewitch, however, wasn’t permitted to have women in his vehicle.
On March 1, 2021, a two-member panel of the parole board had granted Waskewitch another six-month period of day parole.
Difficult being back in prison
It has been emotionally difficult for Waskewitch since returning to incarceration, said the parole board.
Waskewitch told the parole board about the pain he endured from his own experience within the residential school system and how difficult it was for him when he learned about the found unmarked graves of many Indigenous children who were forced to attend residential schools.
The parole board said although it wasn’t entirely sure, it seems these experiences have brought forward a significant realization as to how his experiences in his childhood continue to shape his actions. Waskewitch plans to pursue these issues further with Elders.
“The Board does acknowledge your own victimization and how the impact from your social history continues to shape your behaviours today,” said the parole report. “It is clear you are working hard to heal from your past and to re-establish yourself as a proud Indigenous person.”
