Feds provide more than $40M in financial support to James Smith Cree Nation

The federal government is taking steps to help James Smith Cree Nation heal.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced more than $60 million in financial support during a visit to the First Nation on Monday.

He also paid his respects at the gravesites of some of the victims of the mass murders that devastated the community Sept. 4, and met with victims’ family members and community leaders.

Ten people died on James Smith Cree Nation and one was killed in the nearby community of Weldon during the rampage. Another 18 people were hurt.

The suspect, Myles Sanderson, died in police custody after he was captured following a manhunt.

The funding Trudeau announced Monday will be spread out over the next several years and will be used to build a new wellness centre, renovate the one the community is already using, and help with holistic healing.

“Today’s announcement will enable James Smith Cree Nation to develop and design the programs that best serve the needs of its members,” said Trudeau, adding the programs will increase access to mental health, trauma and substance abuse services.

During a media conference at Bernard Constant Community School, Trudeau announced the federal government is investing $42.5 million over six years to build a new wellness centre on James Smith Cree Nation and to repurpose the existing lodge.

A media release from the Prime Minister’s Office said there’s also $4.5 million “to support the healing, mental health, and well-being of community members impacted by the tragic events of September, and to support Indigenous-led approaches to community safety.”

Trudeau also announced $20 million over four years to top up the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative for all First Nations across Canada. That program will look to implement the Federal Pathway and end violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Janelle Kinch, who lost family in the attack, said programs have to be created to help remove drugs and alcohol from the reserves.

“That’s the main priority right now,” she said. “(Governments also have to) focus on our healing with our other families in our community and just more help grieving with our families.”

Earlier in the day, Trudeau stopped at the cemetery behind Saint Stephen’s Anglican Church on James Smith Cree Nation. Escorted by local leaders, the prime minister remembered and honoured victims of the attack.

Despite the freezing temperatures and wind, Trudeau seemed almost unfazed and took his time at each individual grave site to say a prayer.

“We are thankful for his visit — his kind words were profoundly touching as our community members continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones,” James Smith Cree Nation Chief Wally Burns said in a release.

“We recognize that Prime Minister Trudeau and his government were responsive to our immediate needs for emergency health supports immediately after the incident, which helped us during a time of great turmoil. His visit gives us confidence that we can continue to work together to meet our long-term goals that include our need for treatment centres and self-administered policing.”

The Prime Minister took his time at each individual grave site, paying his respects and talking with local leadership. @princealbertnow @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/DgDmu6omEe

— nigel maxwell (@nigelmaxwell) November 28, 2022

From the cemetery, Trudeau went to meet with local leadership and victims’ families. He was presented with an eagle feather and wrapped in a star blanket by community leaders.

“Your leadership and, quite frankly, the way the community has come together has been extremely important,” Trudeau said. “I’ve just spent the past couple of hours sitting with families of people from the community who are grieving, who lost loved ones, who are hurting (and) who are reflecting not just on their loss but what it means to the community.”

Trudeau said the entire country was “reeling” after the rampage.

“I’m so humbled to be here, to listen (and) also to offer resources and support on behalf of the Government of Canada and, quite frankly, on behalf of all Canadians who were just heartbroken as all of you were by what happened in September,” he said.

“Of course, the healing process will take a long time and what I wanted to really say is that we will be there as partners to all of you as you move forward.”

Kinch said she hopes the prime minister’s visit will spur action.

“I would like more policing on the reserve and more programs for each and everybody, from children, youth, adults, elders right up to elderly people,” she said.

Other family members said they were grateful the prime minister took time to visit the community and pay his respects.

“I’m very happy that he made it a point to come out,” said Kelly Burns, a family member of some of the victims of the September attacks. “It is an honour.”

Darryl Burns lost his sister, Lydia Gloria, in the massacre.

“It means a lot to the community. It means that we’re not a forgotten people,” Darryl Burns said of Trudeau’s visit.

Burns saw the visit as a sign that Indigenous communities like James Smith are starting to be recognized more as people.

He said issues facing Indigenous people and communities — including residential schools and colonization — have long been pushed back, even while people are still living with the effects.

But, he said, a tragedy like what their community suffered can do a lot to bring problems to the forefront and spark change.

— With files from paNOW’s Nigel Maxwell