Joseph Simpson was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Carmelita Abraham with no chance of parole for 14 years and six months.
For the count of interference with a dead body, Simpson will serve one day concurrently with the life sentence due to time served.
The sentencing comes nearly four years after the disappearance of Carmelita from Williams Lake. Simpson was found guilty of second degree murder and interference with a dead body in June.
He gave a brief apology ahead of his sentencing, stating that words can't reconcile the loss of Carmelita to her family but he is sorry for what he did. He added he will continue to get help while serving his sentence.
She went missing while living in Williams Lake but was a member of the Takla First Nation, located 167 kilometres north of Fort St. James.
Loved ones and supporters attended the sentencing including Carmelita's mother and brother, who spoke with The Observer after the sentencing concluded. Supporters gathered outside and Carmelita's friend Wilf Plasway drummed songs to honour her and other missing and murdered Indigenous women.
"He's gone for life. And 14 and a half years before he's eligible to apply for parole. I'm really satisfied with that," said Carmelita's mother Heather Abraham. "I want the world to know that justice has been served."
Heather described Carmelita as happy all the time and someone who loved everybody.
"She was all sorts of things. She was an artist, she was a mother, she was a sister, she was an auntie. She was also a freestyle singer and a freestyle dancer," Heather said. "She really loved her daughter. She loved being a mom."
Carmelita's brother, Rick Abraham, said he's relieved to see the trial come to a close and thanked everyone who contributed to the judicial process to get the sentence for Simpson.
"She was tough. Stood up to anybody. She was bright, energetic. She loved to sing, she loved to be in the bush, she loved her mom and was her only baby girl," Rick said. "She liked to take care of people, especially the elders."
Rick said Carmelita was an advocate for drug and AIDS awareness.
"She did quite a bit for her people and not only that, represented the natives in the 2010 Olympics. She got to see one of her idols, Nelly Furtado," he said.
Carmelita performed at the Olympics with hundreds of other Indigenous dancers. She was also a rap artist and performed in front of former Governor General Michaëlle Jean.
"She's always going to be my baby sister. Now I can rest easy."