Student’s violent death a struggle for Lac La Ronge school

A Lac La Ronge First Nation teen’s locker is empty, and the man accused of killing him is still in custody.

Dustin Bird was 17 when he was shot to death in his girlfriend’s home.

Jonas Budd has been charged with the abduction of Bird’s girlfriend and for killing Bird while in a Lac La Ronge home early last Wednesday morning.   

Since then, Bird’s family has been busy dealing with the trauma of losing him, attending court to follow Budd’s case, and picking up the pieces of Bird’s life left behind by his sudden death.

On Monday, they were also invited to a memorial for the teen, who had been in Grade 10 at Senator Myles Venne School in Air Ronge.

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“The difficulty for me is, you know, what do I say to the students? The community is hurting, they’re hurting, the staff is hurting, I’m hurting so how do we do this? How do we get through this together?” – principal Morris Cook.

The approximately 300 students – who Cook said can be a bit loud during normal assemblies –  remained quiet, somber, and respectful for the memorial. The ceremony included remarks from principal Morris Cook, a prayer by members of a local church, and a song from a teacher.

Although the grieving process for the whole school started on Monday, it started earlier for the staff. Two debriefings were held to discuss the “horrific” and “senseless violence” that led to Bird’s death, Cook said.

The band has brought in grief counsellors for students.

“Thinking about the good things that we can remember about Dustin, that’s going to help us heal,” said vice principal Viviana Ruiz-Arcand.

Cook said they’re choosing to focus on the victim, rather than Budd’s court proceedings, which were only a kilometre away, in La Ronge.

“I believe the justice system will do what it needs to do to have justice met, not only for the family but for all the community that’s been affected by this crime.”

He asks the same of the students.

“We ask them to be calm, just to think about Dustin in a positive way, not think about the violence that happened, not think about the person responsible for this horrific crime,” Cook said.

“The last thing we want to do is have that anger build up. It just boils over and it leads to something else, and the healing can never really truly happen.”

The outspoken teen left behind a lot of stories that brought a smile to the faces of staff members.

This includes Bird’s first introduction to a new teacher several years ago.

“Hi, I’m Dustin Bird. I’m a big deal around here. If you need anything, if you need any help, you come find me,” Cook recounted with a laugh.

Even with the call for calm on a school level, Ruiz-Arcand said it’s difficult to hold her feelings back about the way Bird died.

“On a personal level, I have a different take on the situation,” Ruiz-Arcand said.

The participation of Bird’s family in the whole process shows just how close the school’s community is, Cook said.

Ruiz-Arcand echoed that sentiment.

“I’m, actually, I’m thankful that the family is letting us be a part of this, which is huge. They didn’t have to but they are. That says a lot.”

Family members stayed behind after the memorial to speak with staff and also to clean out his locker.

claskowski@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @chelsealaskowsk