Community Unites for Ashley David Thompson

By Kaniehtonkie.

On June 5, 2019, a young Mohawk woman was monstrously assaulted. The assault left her needing constant daily care. She will never leave the long-term facility she is residing at. She is unable to speak or move from the Traumatic Brain Injury she sustained from the assault. During this assault her young children witnessed their mother's violent crime against her.

Her two children, now the young age 9 and 11 years old, will never be the same.

The young woman is Ashley David Thompson who was born on October 29, 1991. On December 5, 2019, Clayton Delorme violently and continuously assaulted Ashley until the Cornwall Police stopped him after Ashley's son ran for help.

Recently, women in Akwesasne have come to support Ashley and her mother Lorraine Thompson. Angie Barnes, Shelly Jacobs, Keena King and Georgina Lazore worked directly with Lorraine on submitting impact statements, organizing healing gatherings and a march – all to assist Ashley and her family on their long road of healing.

When Barnes heard of Delorme's possible length of sentencing – only 15 years which would include time already served, and possibly reduced time for good behavior while incarcerated - Delorme could be out on the streets in six years – she knew she had to do something to show support to Lorraine and to Ashley. Barnes then organized a community wide 'impact statement' which garnered over 1000 signatures in just a few days. The impact statement was submitted on Friday, November 12, 2021.

Barnes said, "I knew this had to be collective community-wide letter because that is who we are: a collective of people, not just individuals. As a community we have to look at 'how do we heal from this. The justice system is there to protect us and this system has failed us. His sentence needs to fit the crime."

Ashley's daughter said in a victim impact statement heard in Ontario Superior Court earlier this fall, "Before our mom was hurt, we liked to dance in the kitchen and do fun things, like learn how to cook. Now I have nightmares of me, my brother and my mom being chased by Clayton down a long hallway," dated June 5, 2019.

This is where Keena King and Seven Dancers stepped in. On Thursday, December 2, Seven Dancers is hosting "Illuminating the Spirit for Ashley" which starts at 2pm. A candlelight vigil will be held throughout the day.

King stated, "We wanted to reach out, to do what we can for Ashley, her mom and Ashley's children. They all need to heal, and we want to carve out a specific time to send prayers for Ashley. We will have a tobacco burning, pipe holders, and dancers. We are asking all to join together for prayers and thoughts of healing."

They encourage all to join in, no matter your spiritual beliefs and to 'pray in any manner that you feel comfortable.'

Then on Saturday, December 4th, community members are invited to attend a march in downtown Cornwall in support of Ashley. The march will start at 1pm at 29 Second St. W. in Cornwall.

Lazore stated on Facebook, "I am assisting Lorraine Thompson with a peaceful march on December 4th. This is to demand justice for Ashely David Thompson...The man responsible for this is looking at only 15 years in jail; and as for Ashley, she will spend the rest of her life living in a long-term care facility requiring assistance just to survive. Let's gather with Lorraine Thompson and her family on December 4th to show her how much love and support her and Ashley have."

As for Lorraine, she stated, "We have been through hell.

I'm doing the best I can, just like fish – I keep going. I keep swimming. My grandkids have a lot of support, but he's sad. She's his mother. My daughter can't talk, she has a trach in. She can't walk. She had spent months in a coma and then a year in the hospital. She's in a safe place now but I can't bring her home. She needs care 24-7."

She added, "What they are giving him (Delorme) is not enough."

Lorraine herself has worked tirelessly on behalf of her daughter Ashley. When signatures were being gathered for the collective community impact statement, she went to elder's homes and gathered over 110 signatures.

In the wake of the assault, Delorme was charged with attempted murder, two counts of assault, assaulting police, mischief under $5,000, and uttering threats. Delorme will hear his sentence for aggravated assault, as all other charges have been dropped or have been plea bargained.

The Crown recommended Delorme face the maximum penalty of 14 years for aggravated assault and consecutive time to be served for assaulting Thompson's son as well as a doctor and police officer, for a total of 15 years.

Delorme will be sentence on December 8th by Ontario Superior Court Judge Johanne Lafrance-Cardinal.

Seven Dancers Coalition

"Illuminating the Spirit" For Ashley

Thursday, December 2nd 2:00pm at the Seven Dancers Coalition

A Gathering for healing and prayers for Ashley Thompson, the daughter of Lorraine Thompson and the late Floyd David.

On December 5th, 2019 she was brutally beaten by her boyfriend, leaving her hospitalized and unable to communicate.

We are inviting all community members with the greatest intentions of healing in our community in addition to all Pipe Carriers to stand in support of Ashley's life and join together with a prayer for Ashley and her family.

A candlelight vigil will be held throughout the day. For anybody who wants to attend feel free to pray in any manner you feel comfortable.

Zoom will also be available for our relatives who can not make it. Call Seven dancers Coalition at 518-358-2916.