Yankton boxer in fight for his life
By Richie Richards Native Sun News Today Correspondent
nativesunnews.today PIERRE -- A Yankton Sioux Tribe member is in for the fight of his life after falling victim to reservation violence over the weekend. Keith Cournoyer is a father, boxer and role model for his community, but according to his friends and family was "jumped" while attending a gathering at a home in Marty, South Dakota, on the Yankton Sioux Reservation on Saturday night. According to the boxer's mother, Darla Cournoyer who provided an update to the family and friends of her son through social media, Keith is currently at a hospital in Sioux Falls and has been placed on life support as he is in a coma. "He needs to heal. It is too soon to tell you what is going on with him. As of right now his vitals are stable. Keith is in critical condition," she said. The mother claims due to his condition, hospital staff are keeping her son from laying down. The doctors had to remove a piece of his skull because of the swelling on the brain. On Thursday this week, doctors will again try to lay the boxer down in order to do a computerized tomography scan (CT scan) on his brain to further understand the injuries sustained.
As is the case with such brutal violence on any reservation, retaliation against those involved is the immediate emotional reaction to such tragedies. This reaction amongst families and friends furthers the cycle of violence and only creates and permeates more victimization. Each new physical confrontation does not bring healing or justice to the original victim.
Darla Cournoyer would like to see justice for her son, but she would like to see it in a court of law and not in a house on the reservation.
"I thank you for the continued prayers," said Cournoyer. "Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers." Despite the tragedy, the grandmother says Keith's two children are holding up well. Keith Cournoyer made his professional boxing debut at the WinnaVegas Casino Resort on November 11, 2016, and has fought two fights since, including a fight at the Fort Randall Casino on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. The beloved boxer has had a promising career and his support has come from many during this tragic time. Keith’s daughter, Kaylin, is also a prize fighter and has been making her rounds on the boxing circuit and winning. These champion boxers are each other’s number one fans as the daughter hopes to follow in her father’s footsteps one day and become a professional fighter.
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