JSCN Chief ’emotional,’ ‘hurt’ after watching Sanderson arrest video at inquest

The chief of the James Smith Cree Nation said he feels emotional and hurt after watching a detailed video depicting the dramatic and dangerous arrest of 32-year-old Myles Sanderson.

Sanderson killed 11 people and injured 17 others on the First Nation and in nearby Weldon on Sept. 4, 2022. He evaded capture for three days before tips to the RCMP helped police get a lock on his location.

The video was played during the first day of a coroner’s inquest into the death of Sanderson.

“Today, looking at it emotionally, I’m hurt. (It was a) clever way of (Sanderson) not facing our people, a cowardly way,” Chief Wally Burns told reporters Monday.

Burns said watching the video of Sanderson driving a white Chevy Avalanche into oncoming traffic on Highway 11 near Rosthern was unbelievable.

“There was a lot of people. Forty-one vehicles. You can imagine what they were thinking at that time … I had a couple friends on that highway,” he said.

“I feel for those people. For me, I think it was traumatizing because – take a look at it – you know they just about lost their lives, too,” Burns added.

Sanderson eventually drove across a grass median into the southbound lanes of of Highway 11. He was then clipped by an RCMP vehicle, sending the stolen Avalanche into a ditch. At least half a dozen RCMP vehicles surrounded Sanderson, who was pulled out and hauled to the ground where he was arrested. At that time, the video was stopped.

According to the RCMP, Sanderson went into “medical distress” and died shortly after his arrest. The inquest seeks to determine how Sanderson died, and the jury will be permitted to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.

Burns said he was attending the second inquest to support families, friends and community members, but said it also opened up old wounds. He said he’s focused on healing, both for his own community and for the Village of Weldon.

The chief renewed his call for a national inquiry into the mass stabbing incident, adding that he plans to meet with members of the Parole Board of Canada and other officials next month.

“The whole justice system has failed our nation,” he said.

The inquest into Sanderson’s death is expected to continue until Friday.

Sgt. Ken Kane of the Saskatoon Police Service and pathologist Dr. Shaun Ladham are expected to testify Tuesday.