‘It opened my eyes:’ Families reflect on evidence heard at JSCN inquest

Every day of the James Smith Cree Nation inquest, through policy evidence, explanations of autopsies and a recounting of the attacks that left 11 people dead, Joyce Burns has sat in the hearing room with her family, listening.

Joyce is the mother of Vanessa and Deborah Burns and widow of Earl Burns Sr., who was killed during the attacks. She was also attacked by Myles Sanderson on Sept. 4, 2022.

Yet she teared up on Tuesday when she spoke about what she’d learned about Sanderson during the coroner’s inquest.

“It opened my eyes a lot, especially (about) this young man that did this crime,” said Burns.

“He was neglected. He was abused. He didn’t know how to change his life … He didn’t know who to turn to. He had nobody.”

Burns said that made her think about her own kids and her grandkids.

“I want them to bring up their children better than how (Sanderson) was brought up. I don’t want my grandkids to go down that road,” she said, musing that maybe that’s the reason why she survived.

“I just about died twice – and I told my husband I didn’t want to go with him. I didn’t want to die. I’m not done here yet.”

READ MORE:

• Day 1: Jury selection, first witness at James Smith Cree Nation inquest
• Day 2: Emotions intensify as testimony continues at JSCN inquest
• Day 3: RCMP witness at JSCN inquest discusses drug trade, warrants
• Day 4: RCMP witness apologizes to veteran’s family at JSCN inquest
• Day 5: Psychologist shares assessment of Myles Sanderson at JSCN inquest
• Day 6: Inquest hears Sanderson wasn’t among Sask.’s most wanted before attacks
• Day 7: Sanderson’s release from custody scrutinized at JSCN inquiry
• Day 8: Parole officers, program facilitator detail Sanderson’s progress in prison
• Day 9: Psychologist offers apologies to families during JSCN inquest
• Day 10: Pathologist tells inquest EMS likely couldn’t have saved murder victims
• Day 11: Elders describe dealings with Sanderson in prison

Burns said she wanted to attend the hearings every day to see what was happening and hear what was being said. She said she hopes the inquest can bring about changes in her community and in the law.

Among the families of the victims, there’s been talk of making a better community for young people and those yet to be born. Burns said her hope for the future generations is for them to be taught their culture and be steered down the right road.

“Drugs and alcohol are easy to get nowadays, and I don’t want them to go down that road, because it’s hard to get out of,” she said.

Deborah Burns, Joyce’s daughter, has been speaking and asking questions on behalf of their family at the inquest.

“Having the questions answered did bring some clarity to what we have been questioning over the past year and a half,” Deborah explained.

“At the beginning, we were angry. We were confused. We had a lot of questions about the how (and) the why. We’re satisfied with some of it.”

Chelsey Stonestand (R) has been speaking for Buggy Burns (L) and his family in the inquest, and she says this process has sparked some positive changes for Buggy. Jan. 30, 2024 (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

Chelsey Stonestand stood with Buggy Burns, who was wearing a bunnyhug emblazoned with pictures of the family members he lost, including his wife Bonnie Burns and their son Gregory. She represented him and his family in the inquest.

Stonestand said she works closely with Buggy in the community and said she can see the positive changes the inquest has brought for him.

“Buggy speaks openly about the different changes he’s seen within himself, which is being able to sleep more, being able to have a more clear mind, being able to have an understanding that can bring him some comfort in the loss of his wife and son,” said Stonestand.

All of the families are hoping for some kind of change to come out of the inquest, both in their communities and in the justice system itself.

The inquest’s jury is currently considering what recommendations it will make in order to prevent similar deaths in the future.