'Something he would have wanted': Sask. community creates memorial project for mass stabbing victim
The village of Weldon has been a little bit darker since the community lost Wes Petterson.
“He was a huge part of the community,” said Weldon resident Chelsey Erickson.
Petterson, 78, was one of 11 victims during Myles Sanderson’s deadly attacks on Sept. 4, 2022 in James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) and Weldon.
Wes Petterson was the last victim of Myles Sanderson during a stabbing spree in rural Saskatchewan in Sept. 2022. (Stacey Hein / CTV News)
“It’s still hard knowing that he’s gone, and how he went. He definitely didn’t deserve it,” Erickson said.
She knew Petterson her whole life, and remembers him as a kind and selfless man.
Erickson is co-director of the “Weldon Playground Project” committee, which plans to build a park in Petterson’s honour.
“He liked to see the kids outside playing, and we know this is something he would have wanted,” she said.
Weldon resident Jeanette Dubois hopes the Wes Petterson Memorial Park will bring new life to the community.
“We need more people to get together and do stuff because that has stopped. The community doesn’t get together anymore like they used to,” she said.
The committee plans to build the park on the field next to the community’s care home, where children currently play.
“We have fun games, but we’re constantly playing them over and over again. I think if we had a playground maybe we’d have more fun, and have different options to explore,” Katie Petire said.
“I’m excited for the park, because then I don’t need to go to Kinistino for a park,” Evander Fearn said.
A rendering of the Wes Petterson Memorial Park plan. (Image Supplied)
The committee needs about $150,000 for the project, but it’s already two-thirds of the way there after a donation from James Smith Cree Nation.
“It’s part of reconciliation … on both parties,” said Gerald Whitehead, a member of JSCN.
“Because both communities felt the tragedy of loss.”
James Smith donated $116,000 to the cause.
“The support we’ve had from everybody, just doing this, has been over the moon and amazing,” said Jamie Petire, committee co-director.
The committee will continue to fundraise through pancake breakfasts and bottle drives, with a goal of holding a grand opening for the park in September.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Lyon-bound Air Canada Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from Montreal turns back midflight due to pressurization alert
Passengers heading from Montreal to Lyon, France on Friday were forced to return home and depart the next day after a pressurization indication was detected in flight.
The eight most expensive homes for sale in Ottawa this spring
Ottawa's ultra luxury housing market is blooming like the tulips this spring, with a significant increase in the number of homes sold worth more than $2 million.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
B.C. pipeline company argues its 'haulers' are not trucks, for tax purposes
A contractor working on the Coastal GasLink pipeline has been denied more than $333,000 worth of tax rebates because pieces of machinery it purchased – and claimed were not trucks – were deemed sufficiently truck-like in B.C. Supreme Court.
Usyk beats Fury by split decision, becomes undisputed heavyweight champion
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
To plant or not to plant? Gardening tips for May long weekend
May long weekend is finally here, and with the extra time off you may be getting the itch to head out to your garden and plant. However, the old debate whether you should plant now, or wait, is still ever-present.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.