Governor General visits James Smith Cree Nation to pay respects to victims

By Jaryn Vecchio

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon made a stop on the James Smith Cree Nation on Wednesday to pay respects to the victims of the mass stabbing attack earlier this month.

Simon was joined by the leadership of the First Nation as she visited the graves of some of the 10 people who lost their lives during the rampage on Sept. 4.

“You hear it on the news, you hear about the things that are happening, but it’s never quite the same if you’re not talking face to face with people that are being affected by a horrendous event,” she said.

Simon spent time at each grave, saying a prayer for each of the victims. She also visited a memorial for Earl Burns, a veteran who was among those who died.

Simon explained the entire process was a difficult one.

“There are many different feelings, but mostly it’s great sadness,” she said.

Simon also got the chance to meet with others in the community who were impacted and took part in a ceremony at the community’s school. Multiple dance groups performed in the school’s gym with Simon joining for a little jigging of her own.

During the day, Chief Calvin Sanderson of the Chakastaypasin Band took a couple of minutes to speak with reporters. He mentioned that the community continues to struggle.

“Everybody was impacted, I was impacted, my wife was impacted, we lost loved ones — our relatives,” he said.

He also noted it meant a lot to the whole community for Simon to take time out of her busy schedule to meet with them.

“I’m privileged for her to come and see our community firsthand,” he said. “It’s really unique to have the Governor General come to your own First Nation.”

One of the bigger talking points during Simon’s visit was mental health.

That includes a healing lodge or mental wellness institute. This could be a place where the community can hold funerals and wakes, meet as a community, and help those struggling with addiction.

That was an idea Simon supported.

“I definitely support whatever the community needs and whatever they want to come out of a very difficult period so they can move forward,” she said.

Ten people — nine on the James Smith Cree Nation one in Weldon — died during the rampage and 18 others were injured.

One of the suspects, Damien Sanderson, was found dead on the First Nation on Sept. 5. His brother, Myles Sanderson, was the prime suspect in the killings; he died in police custody on Sept. 7 after going into medical distress following his arrest.