An Edmonton woman has been sentenced to six years in prison following her guilty plea to manslaughter in the October 2023 death of 23-year-old Winter-Star Dion, a shooting that shocked the local community and reignited conversations about violence in urban Alberta.
Keyannah Rose Redbear pleaded guilty Friday to manslaughter with a firearm—a lesser charge than the second-degree murder she originally faced. With credit for time already served in custody, Redbear has approximately two years and four months remaining on her sentence. She has also been issued a lifetime prohibition on possessing firearms.
Justice Kent Teskey delivered the sentence after carefully weighing the gravity of the offence against the circumstances of Redbear's life and background. The judge acknowledged that while the shooting represented a serious crime involving a weapon in an urban setting, Redbear's guilty plea demonstrated genuine acceptance of responsibility.
The Tragic Events of October 2023
Police responded to a 911 call at 4:54 a.m. on October 11, 2023, from one of Dion's sisters, who reported that an armed individual had appeared at the basement suite window of their 100th Avenue apartment. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
According to an agreed statement of facts presented to the court, Redbear had been yelling through a broken window moments before the shooting, repeatedly asking for someone named "Cheyenne." Dion, who was unarmed, attempted to flee the scene before being fatally shot. Redbear subsequently fled the location.
Competing Arguments in Sentencing
Crown prosecutors sought a seven-year sentence, emphasizing several aggravating factors: Redbear's prior criminal record, the fact that the victim was defenceless and trying to escape, the accused's flight from the scene, and the victim's Indigenous heritage—which courts treat as a statutory aggravating factor under Canadian law.
Defence counsel argued for a sentence of five-and-a-half years, presenting a Gladue report that detailed Redbear's troubled childhood and struggles with substance abuse. The Gladue principles, a legal requirement in Canadian sentencing, mandate that courts consider the systemic and background factors affecting Indigenous offenders when determining appropriate penalties.
The report's author noted that Redbear had demonstrated "incredible resilience" despite the adversity she faced growing up. Justice Teskey found this assessment significant when balancing culpability against personal circumstances.
The Court's Decision
Justice Teskey concluded that while crimes against Indigenous women warrant heightened seriousness, this particular case warranted consideration of the fact that Redbear herself faces similar systemic challenges. The judge emphasized that her guilty plea—a decision to accept responsibility rather than proceed to trial—was a meaningful factor in the sentencing calculation.
Both the Crown and defence described the case as "tragic," a sentiment reflected in the court's deliberations and final decision.
The case underscores ongoing challenges within Alberta's criminal justice system regarding violence, substance abuse, and the disproportionate impact of systemic factors on Indigenous communities. It also highlights the role that Gladue principles play in ensuring fairer outcomes for Indigenous offenders while maintaining public safety and accountability.
This story is based on reporting from CBC Edmonton.