Exclusive: RCMP gives Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation update

Listen to the full interview here:

The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Bray: What can you tell us about this? What has unfolded in the last 24 hours?

Blackmore: An incredibly tragic incident that we are dealing with from Carry the Kettle. So as you mentioned, yesterday morning, at approximately 11:15 a.m. File Hills First Nation Police Service was called to a report of sudden deaths on Carry the Kettle Nation, and as the officers responded, they located four deceased persons inside the residence. We do believe that their deaths are suspicious in nature. Given that the RCMP Major Crime Unit assist File Hills First Nation Police in engaging with complex crimes such as homicides and we were engaged shortly thereafter and took over the responsibility for this investigation.

An arrest was made last night, of an individual by the name of Keagan Panipekeesick, who from my understanding was a suspect in an incident with a firearm on Zagime Anishinabek First Nation (formerly Sakimay First Nation). Is that related to these four deaths on Carry the Kettle?

Blackmore: Those are the pieces we’re still trying to put together. Given the close proximity between Carry the Kettle First Nation and Sakimay First Nation, they are not that far apart given the geography of this province. So, it is something that we’re certainly looking at, to determine if he was also involved in those suspicious deaths from Carry the Kettle.

A few years back, you and I were both heavily involved in working together in the tragedy that was the James Smith Cree Nation and I know in that incident there were numerous emergency alerts that were going out to the public, but that didn’t happen yesterday.

Does that lead us to the conclusion that this was targeted? That this was not a random thing and there was no danger to the public?

Blackmore: We do believe that the residence involved where the four individuals were located deceased, was targeted in this incident. So yes, we do believe there was that aspect, that the motivation was targeting that residence and that the risk to the public was not the same as if we had someone in a random attack.

At this point, though, you can’t say for sure that you’ve got the suspect under arrest?

Blackmore: We can’t say with 100 per cent certainty, but we are certainly investigating the possibility of the two incidents, the point firearm from Sakimay and the deceased individuals at Carry the Kettle, if those two incidents are related.

Can you confirm if those four people were murdered by being shot?

Blackmore: I can’t confirm that. But all four were deceased by the time Fil Hills First Nation police service arrived on the scene.

Can you confirm if drugs were a factor?

Blackmore: It is another aspect of the investigation that we are looking at. We look to find motivating factors right at the start of the investigation. As we look to determine who is responsible we look to motivating factors. The drug trade has a violent aspect to it, so it is something we are following up on.

Is there anything you want Saskatchewan people to know? I am not equating to James Smith but minds turn that way.

Blackmore: It is not lost on me the terror people feel when they hear a story like this unfolding. There is a level of fear there and we completely understand that. It is absolutely top of mind when we talk about public safety. We were in consultation all evening and right through the afternoon, so we need an emergency alert. We don’t make a decision and then stick to that decision, we are constantly assessing the new information. The situation evolves quickly as you look to determine who is a suspect, where are they at this time. I can assure if there was an imminent risk to public safety we would be altering the public.

Chief Erica Beaudin lends support

The shock waves from the four deaths on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation are being felt in neighbouring communities as well.

On Cowessess First Nation, Chief Erica Beaudin said her community is lending its support to those on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation.

“Our hearts go out to the whole community of Carry the Kettle First Nation. As soon as we heard, we put out an open letter to the First Nation letting them know that we stand with them and anything that they need from us, we will be there to help,” Beaudin said.

“All of our families are connected. As soon as the incident happened, I started receiving messages from our members that were personally affected or had relatives affected by the tragedy.”

Beaudin said she couldn’t share or confirm any rumours about what happened, but did mention RCMP officers were active on the Cowessess First Nation yesterday.

“The person of interest, who was arrested early this morning, they had actually thought that he and another person may be on our First Nation. The RCMP detachment, as well as major crimes, the Regina Police Service were active on our First Nation and one area was on lockdown for several hours until it was cleared,” Beaudin explained.

In the last few years, Saskatchewan has seen a handful of serious incidents happen on its reserves.

When asked about what could be done to avoid further tragedies, Beaudin said everyone needs to work together.

She added that work is being done with several other First Nations throughout southeastern Saskatchewan.

“We are currently putting together a partnership and we hope to together address the issue of drugs. We are all connected both physically as well as through relationships,” Beaudin stated.

“I commend James Smith Cree Nation on some of the work that they’ve done in addressing it, but there’s a lot more that needs to be done.

“There needs to be a very detailed influx of resources that need to be looked at in terms of what is working and what isn’t working and then for us to move forward together.”

— with files from 650 CKOM’s Shane Clausing