‘We were always close’: Family of stabbing victim remembers their loved one during vigil in P.A.

His younger brother Orlen Burns recalled that fateful morning.

“I don’t know a whole lot. My wife got a phone call from my daughter saying, ‘Uncle Earl is dead.’ I jumped in my truck, and I drove to his place to check on him. On the way in, I saw his bus in the ditch on the curb.”

Orlen and members of his family were in Prince Albert Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil in front of the main office for the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC).

Dozens gathered at the vigil including the chief and members of the Prince Albert Police Service, and First Nations Chiefs from member nations of the PAGC. They included Chief Marcel Head of Shoal Lake Cree Nation, Chief Joyce Naytowhow McLeod of Montreal Lake and Grand Chief of the PAGC Brian Hardlotte.

Photos of victims from the stabbings at James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon were placed on a teepee during a vigil on September 13, 2022. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

Bobby Cameron, Chief of the Federation of Independent Nations (FSIN) also spoke at the vigil, encouraging those in attendance to hold the community and families in James Smith Cree Nation in prayer, as prayer is what will get them through.

In the field near the main office, stood a teepee lit up with candles as dusk turned to night. On the outside of the teepee were photos of all 10 victims.

While Orlen and the Burns family prepare for Earl’s funeral on Saturday, he took time to recall the good memories he shared with his brother.

“He was a good guy, a fun guy to be around, always smiling no matter what.”

He added he and his brother were avid rodeo participants, competing in bareback riding and saddle bronc.

As for how he is coming to grips with the loss of his brother, Orlen said his immediate and extended family are helping him.

“It’s coming together. We were always close.”