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

By Jaryn Vecchio

Mass Tragedy

Year in Review: James Smith mass stabbing attack shocks the country

Dec 23, 2022 | 5:00 PM

As 2022 draws to a close, paNOW is taking a look back on the most important and impactful stories of the year, as selected by our reporters and editorial staff.

It was a story that not only shocked the province, but the entire country.

Early in the morning on Sept. 4, 32-year-old Myles Sanderson stabbed 11 people to death and injured another 18 on the James Smith Cree Nation and in the village of Weldon. The youngest to die was 23-year-old Thomas Burns, while 78-year-old Wesley Petterson was the oldest.

The spree eventually turned into one of the biggest manhunts in Saskatchewan’s history. It took police four days to find Myles who was eventually arrested along Highway 11 near the town of Rosthern. Right after being put into police custody, Myles went into medical distress and would eventually die. The exact cause of his death is still not publicly known.

One of the 11 who died was Myles’ brother Damien. He was initially believed to have played a part in the spree and was subsequently charged with first-degree murder.

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Damien was found dead on Sept. 5 with RCMP confirming he was killed by Myles, officially putting the number of deaths at 11.

Police also confirmed Damien was involved in the planning and preparation of the attack but did not kill anyone.

Vigils were held across the province shortly after the attack. In Prince Albert, around 200 people gathered in Memorial Square outside of city hall to pay their respects.

“We don’t even have to know them personally, we care about them, we love them, and we’re here for them,” said Leanne Bear, one of those in attendance at the vigil.

Another vigil was held in P.A. a week later in front of the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) main office. Dozens showed up including leadership from several First Nations including Chief Marcel Head of Shoal Lake Cree Nation, Chief Joyce Naytowhow McLeod of Montreal Lake, and Grand Chief of the PAGC Brian Hardlotte.

It didn’t take long for prominent people in Canada took time to visit the community. The first was Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada, who met with people impacted by the attack.

“You hear it on the news, you hear about the things that are happening, but it’s never quite the same if you’re not talking face-to-face with people that are being affected by a horrendous event,” she said.

Shortly after Simon’s visit, Marco Mendicino, the Federal Public Safety Minister, paid a visit. He also signed a Letter of Intent along with the provincial government and PAGC, starting a process that will help create new public safety initiatives for the PAGC’s member nations.

At the end of November, James Smith also got the chance to welcome Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. There he met with the First Nations’ leadership and families of the victims, while also taking time to visit the victims’ graves.

Trudeau also took time to announce a $42.5 million investment to build a new wellness centre on the First Nation and repurpose the existing Sakwatamo Lodge.

They’re also providing funding to support the healing, mental health, and well-being of community members, to repair and replace homes on the First Nation, and to top up the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative which aims to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ peoples.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow