Chief Wally Burns of James Smith said the violence in his community needs to stop (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

James Smith grieves

James Smith thanks RCMP, says tribal police are needed moving forward

Sep 8, 2022 | 4:58 PM

If there were some universal messages coming from the James Smith Cree Nation this morning, they were about thanking the RCMP and about starting the healing process.

A third message focused on pushing the federal and provincial governments to help establish more tribal police services in Saskatchewan.

“We will get there one day; we hope to get there sooner rather than later. To work in conjunction with the RCMP,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron.

He said he has put forward a resolution to that effect and is confident it will happen.

Cameron also reminded Premier Scott Moe, who was among the dignitaries present, that both he and the federal government have committed to working with First Nations.

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Prince Albert Grand Council Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte said the recent mass stabbing that killed 10 and hospitalized 18 others has shown where there are gaps.

“The criminal system again has failed the Indigenous community and people. This incident sheds light on the fractured system, where the parole board needs to be more transparent and to make some fundamental changes in consultation with First Nations people,” said Hardlotte.

First Nations should oversee their own policing, he said.

Saskatchewan has one tribal police service that after several trials, evolved into the File Hills First Nations Police Service, created in 2002.

The service is overseen by a five-person board of commissioners that represent the five members of the File Hills First Nations.

He would prefer to see a focus on restorative justice and that the Indigenous people of Canada need to focus on returning to that method.

The call for policing changes is not the community pointing fingers at the RCMP, said the chiefs.

The Indigenous leadership at the event thanked the RCMP for their response and for the amount of support shown.

“All the first responders did their work for the protection of the community,” said Hardlotte.

Chief of James Smith Wally Burns spoke of his deep gratitude to law enforcement that responded from across the province, specifically thanking the RCMP.

“Working with them, all hours of the night, asking for reports, updates. Without them, this guy wouldn’t have been caught. I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Burns.

He lost his best friend in the attacks, he said and his nephews lost their father.

The most powerful moment at the news conference came when Darryl Burns, whose sister Lydia Gloria Burns was among those murdered, came to the podium. He was accompanied by a young woman who was sobbing.

“I have a young lady here,” Darryl Burns said. “Her husband was one of the accused. Her husband was accused of killing my sister. Our family is here to forgive.

“This woman shouldn’t have to bear that kind of guilt and shame and responsibility.”

Burns then put his arm around the woman, identified only as Damien Sanderson’s wife. Several other community members joined him.

Burns said he knew Sanderson and the woman.

“She sat in the gym by herself. And I went and talked to her. And I told her part of forgiveness is accepting the forgiveness of our community. Our community wants to forgive her. Now it’s up to her to accept that forgiveness from us,” he said.

The community was just getting ready to mark another somber anniversary that saw a 37-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman killed in a shooting. Another man was seriously injured but survived.

“These acts of violence have to stop; they have to stop now. We have to collect all the resources that we can to help them heal. We have to protect our community, fight against drugs and alcohol,” Burns said.

With the death of Queen Elizabeth II announced at the start of the media conference, Burns was grateful that she had taken time to write a letter to the community.

“She sent a letter… expressing the condolences to the families, to the friends, to the community,” Burns said.

Premier Moe spoke briefly, reiterating earlier comments that James Smith has the support of the province.

“I think it’s fair to say that all of Canada is with you during this very difficult time,” he said.

Moe also thanked police and other first responders.

“To all of our provincial enforcement agencies, to the municipal agencies, to the first responders, to all the men and women who have been here over the course of the last couple of days working together doing what they do to keep this community and Saskatchewan residents safe,” he said.

—

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

-With files from CKOM’a Lara Fominoff