'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
Hamas rocket attack from Gaza sets off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv for the first time in months
Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza that set off air raid sirens as far away as Tel Aviv for the first time in months on Sunday in a show of resilience more than seven months into Israel's massive air, sea and ground offensive.
Grayson Murray's parents say the two-time PGA Tour winner died of suicide
Grayson Murray's parents said Sunday their 30-year-old son took his own life, just one day after he withdrew from a PGA Tour event. The family asked for privacy and that people honor Murray by being kind to one another.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
'Inspires a sense of adventure': Sask. man conquers Mount Everest
A Saskatchewan man made it to the summit of Mount Everest earlier this month.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Indianapolis 500 delayed as strong storm forces fans to evacuate Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The start of the Indianapolis 500 was delayed as a strong storm pushed through the area Sunday, forcing Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials to evacuate about 125,000 fans who had already arrived for "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing."
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
At least 9 dead in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after severe weather roars across region
Powerful storms killed at least nine people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where drivers took shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.