James Smith Cree Nation victim's brother believes tragedy 'could have been prevented'
A man who lost his brother and mother in the stabbing massacre on James Smith Cree Nation three months ago says Myles Sanderson, the perpetrator, shouldn’t have been released from prison.
“I think it could have been prevented if they held Myles in for his full sentence. I guess the parole board let him out early,” said John Kelly Burns.
Burns says his brother, Thomas Burns, 23, and his mother, Carol Burns, 46, died after being stabbed in the early morning hours of Sept. 4. He says they were visiting the community when the attack happened.
RCMP charged Myles Sanderson, 32, with first-degree murder for their deaths. In total, 11 people died in the massacre and 18 were injured, including one man from the nearby village of Weldon.
Burns says with Sanderson’s extensive criminal record, previous assault charges and drug use, he should not have been allowed to return to the community.
Sanderson’s criminal record shows 59 convictions since he was 18 years old, including assault with a weapon, domestic violence, assaulting a police officer and robbery.
When asked about implementing reforms to the parole system Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Parole Board of Canada operates independently.
“Making sure that people are accessing the proper kinds of mental health supports and addiction treatments while they're incarcerated is a piece of it. Making sure communities have better resources to deal with the epidemic of drug use that people are dealing with right now and the challenges that go with it,” Trudeau said during his visit to the community on Monday.
James Smith Cree Nation Chief Wally Burns says it’s a struggle to think about how “the system failed our people.”
“And the board not notifying the First Nations is another (issue). I think working in collaboration on how to fix the system takes not just one person, it takes a whole community or a province to fix what is broken,” said the chief said.
On Monday, Trudeau reaffirmed support for a letter of intent signed with the federal government, province and Prince Albert Grand Council to create a tribal police force on James Smith.
“We’re seeing a very difficult situation not just here but in communities right across the country and we need to make sure we’re continuing to use all the tools we have to keep people safe,” said Trudeau.
The sister of Carol Burns and an aunt to Thomas Burns, Kelly Burns, says since the attack, her children are scared to walk in the community.
“We live on edge all the time. We wake up lonesome and scared, like do we have to worry about another incident like this happening again,” she said.
She would like the cameras and a security system for her home on James Smith and supports any measure that makes the community safer for her and her family such as security guards and police.
While visiting James Smith Cree Nation, Trudeau announced $42.5 million for the construction of a new mental wellness centre, renovation to the existing Sakwatamo Lodge on James Smith and Indigenous-led programs and services for James Smith band members.
An additional $20 million dollars over four years was committed to the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative. The federal government says it will build on the work of the Federal Pathway, to end violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. This initiative is currently being used to support James Smith Cree Nation and other communities to develop and deliver community-based safety and wellness projects.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Passage of harsh anti-2SLGBTQ+ law in Iraq draws diplomatic backlash
Human rights groups and diplomats criticized a law that was quietly passed by the Iraqi parliament over the weekend that would impose heavy prison sentences on gay and transgender people.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
A munitions explosion at a Cambodian army base kills 20 soldiers, but its cause is unclear
Security was tight around a military base in southwestern Cambodia on Sunday, a day after a huge explosion there killed 20 soldiers, wounded others and damaged nearby houses.
What Trudeau's podcast appearances say about the Liberals' next ballot box question
Trudeau recently appeared on four podcasts as he travels the country talking up the Liberals' latest budget, which he's pitching as a plan to inject more economic fairness into society for those under 40 — a cohort that has kept Trudeau in power since 2015 but is increasingly turning to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.