Victims of mass stabbing attack on James Smith and Weldon remembered one year later

By Jaryn Vecchio

It was one year ago Monday that multiple people lost their lives in a senseless attack on the James Smith Cree Nation and in the village of Weldon.

On Sept. 4, 2022, 32-year-old Myles Sanderson killed 11 people and injured 17 others in a crime that shook the entire country.

The victims of the mass casualty in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon. (RCMP/Submitted)

He went from home to home stabbing people with a knife and scissors.

Several of the victims tried to confront their attacker including Earl Burns, who died in a school bus after chasing Sanderson, and Thomas Burns, the youngest to die at 23 years old, who was struck by Sanderson’s vehicle and attacked for a second time.

Lydia Burns was also killed after trying to help Gregory and Bonnie Burns who were injured as Sanderson returned to the home around 45 minutes later. All three Burns passed away.

The last person to die was 78-year-old Wesley Petterson at his home in Weldon. Ron Clayton, the village’s mayor and Petterson’s neighbour, saw Sanderson’s vehicle pull up, but he thought it was a friend who had the exact same vehicle.

The spree eventually turned into one of the biggest manhunts in Saskatchewan’s history. It took police four days to find Sanderson, who was eventually arrested near the town of Rosthern.

Right after being put into police custody, Sanderson went into medical distress and ended up dying. The exact cause of his death is still not publicly known.

His brother, Damien Sanderson, who was killed during the attack, was believed to be an accomplice. However, it was revealed months after that he had not killed anyone. Police confirmed Damien was involved in the planning and preparation of the attack.

Remembering the victims

The James Smith Cree Nation has been holding different events over the Labour Day Long Weekend to honour those who passed away. That included a powwow and drone show on Sunday.

Monday’s events will mostly be held in private.

A pipe ceremony is being held in the morning in the tipi at the James Smith Cree Nation Cultural Grounds.

It’s set to be followed by a memorial service at St. Stephens Anglican Church, led by Arch Deacon Dr. Wilfred Sanderson and Reverend Dr. Theresa Sanderson.

A candlelight vigil is also planned for 7:30 p.m. in front of the Bernard Constant School. There will be speakers, prayers, and drummers performing.

Meanwhile, the Village of Weldon has nothing planned to recognize the one-year mark. Members of the community were invited by the leadership of the James Smith Cree Nation to join them.