Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Grieving mother says dealing with son’s death is a ‘constant struggle’

Sep 1, 2015 | 7:19 AM

Nine years after her son was murdered, the wounds are still very fresh for a woman from Mistawasis First Nation.

Patricia Daniels deeply misses her son Greg Whitefish. 

Whitefish and Dwayne Badger were shot outside a home on the reserve in Sept, 2006.  The following year Daniels began the “Walk to Remember” as a way to heal.

“(We are) talking about the silly things that my son used to do and remembering all these different things.  His son and his wife walk with us every year, they come from Prince Albert,” said Daniels.

Whitefish’s son is turning 13-years- old.

“It (the walk) helps him also that we are remembering his dad and we try our best to help him as much as we can,” said Daniels.

Daniels said the idea for the walk actually from one of her younger daughters.  The family was looking for ways to heal.

Daniels said she is not sure where she would be without her family.

“Like having my children and my grandchildren around me is number one, if I didn’t have them I don’t think I’d be here,” she said.

The annual ‘Walk to Remember”, will take place Thursday morning at 11a.m. on the reserve.  The walk will start at House 125(where the shooting allegedly happened) and proceed down the road to House 71(the spot where Whitefish’s body was found.)

Daniels said she will burn sweet grass to commence the walk and supporters will drop rose petals to mark the path.

The man originally charged with the murders, Conrad Sand, was found not guilty in 2010.    No appeal was made.

Daniels said she is hoping that the walk will help curb violence in her community, so that no more mothers or sons lose their sons or fathers.

 

nmaxwell@panow.com

Follow on Twitter: @nigelmaxwell