RIP
A look at the victims of the Saskatchewan stabbing attacksThursday
JAMES SMITH CREE NATION — Ten people were killed in a series of stabbings on the James Smith Cree Nation and in the nearby community of Weldon, northeast of Saskatoon, on Sunday. Police say 18 others were injured. A suspect was found dead on Monday and a second suspect died Wednesday after he was taken into police custody.
A look at the victims of the Saskatchewan stabbing attacks© Provided by The Canadian Press
Here is a look at some of the victims:
Bonnie Burns, 48
Bonnie Burns was a true matriarch who prioritized her family and home, said her brother, Mark Arcand. She had four sons and two foster children, all of whom were home at the time of the attack.
Burns was killed outside her home on the First Nation while trying to shield her children, he said, describing her as a "mama bear" protecting her cubs. Her son, Gregory, was also killed and another son was stabbed in the neck but survived.
"She's not a victim, she's a hero," Arcand said.
Burns "married into" the community and was always volunteering and helping out, and would make her husband, Brian, come along, Arcand said. She had been working at a school over the last few years to help provide for her family, he said.
She made a big difference in people's lives, and always put others first, he said. "It didn’t matter what you did in your life, she was proud of you."
Burns had also been sober for 15 years, her brother said. She and her husband were always joking and laughing together, he added. The couple met in 1990.
Brian Burns said it would have been their wedding anniversary on Sept. 24. They got married on her birthday so they’d never forget their anniversary.
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Gregory Burns, 28
Widely known as "Jonesy," Gregory Burns was a "great kid" who did whatever he could for his family, and died trying to protect them, his uncle Mark Arcand said.
Burns worked in the community of James Smith Cree Nation, built houses and tried to help his parents take care of his younger brothers, Arcand said. He had two children and a third on the way.
"This young man had opportunities to work, he was fully employable. He had lots of tickets and opportunities," but his life was taken away, Arcand said.
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Earl Burns, 66
Family said Earl Burns was a loving father and grandfather who died protecting his family.
Garnet Eyahpaise was still trying to comprehend the violent attack that claimed the life of his brother-in-law.
He said they both attended the St. Michael's Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan. Eyahpaise later married a sister of Burns.
Burns was a veteran with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
"His parents were very proud of the fact that he enlisted, that he chose to serve this country. He never seen battle, but nonetheless he still served this country," said Eyahpaise.
Burns also followed in his father's footsteps in the '70s and participated in the rodeo circuit. He rode both bare and saddle back, Eyahpaise said.
Burns liked to play hockey. Another favourite pastime was fishing. "All his famous catches are mounted on his wall," said his brother-in-law.
Burns and his wife were parents to two daughters and a son, along with many grandchildren. His wife was also injured in the attacks and remains in hospital.
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Lydia Gloria Burns, 61
Media reports quoted siblings as saying Lydia Burns, who went by Gloria, was a first responder on the reserve. CBC reported that she was killed while responding to a crisis call during the attacks.
"Knowing you, you would do anything for anyone! You're the most courageous person I know. You're a hero!" friend Darla Rabesca posted on Facebook. "Heaven has definitely gained a beautiful angel!"
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Carol Burns, 46
Colin Perret says he worked with Carol Burns at SaskTel in Prince Albert for several years.
"You don’t see too many people like that every day," he said of his former colleague.
"She just lifted other people up and she made people’s lives better without even trying."
He said Burns was visiting James Smith Cree Nation with her two sons over the long weekend. Her son Thomas was also killed.
In a Facebook post from Perret, others commented about the woman’s infectious laugh and colourful sense of humour.
"She had an immense love of family and was proud to be Indigenous,” Perret wrote.
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Thomas Burns, 23
A former co-worker shared memories of working with Thomas Burns in a Facebook post.
She said she will miss receiving random messages and video calls from the youngest victim in the attacks.
She wrote: "You were so funny and kind and you didn't deserve this at all."
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Lana Head, 49
Several media reports have said Head was a mother of two daughters. CBC quoted Head's former partner, Michael Brett Burns, as saying she was a security guard at Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert, Sask.
"Rest In Peace beautiful, you truly were an amazing person and had such a sweet innocent demeanour with such laughter," friend Anne Day wrote on Head's Facebook page.
"I will miss our chats and seeing your chipmunk cheek smile," posted Teresa Stewart. "May you be guided into the spirit world wrapped in comfort, peace and love."
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Christian Head, 54
A Facebook page for Christian Head shows that he was a golfer and enjoyed going to car shows.
He posted several photos of himself wearing orange shirts to honour children who died at residential schools. He also posted photos of his grandchildren.
In one photo with two toddlers, the caption reads: "Papa Chick's visitors for the day. Lots of fun teaching them to talk. Understanding them is the cutest and how they all communicate at this age — amazing. Listening is key."
An older grandchild posted a photo of himself and Head wearing Edmonton Oilers hockey jerseys. "I keep wishing I could see you one last time. May you rest in peace, Papa Chicken."
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Robert Sanderson, 49
Online tributes and condolences have poured in for Robert Sanderson, who also went by Bobby.
One family member posted a slide show of photos of Sanderson throughout his life set to a song from Vancouver-duo Dani and Lizzy. A snippet of their song "Dancing in the Sky" can be heard with the lyrics, "I hope you're dancing in the sky. And I hope you're singing in the angel's choir. And I hope the angels know what they have."
Sanderson posted about his cooking and catering efforts on his Facebook page. One person thanked him for providing the food for a birthday party.
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Wesley Petterson, 78
All 10 victims were from the James Smith Cree Nation, except for Wesley Petterson, who lived 30 kilometres away in the village of Weldon.
He loved his cats, was proud of his homemade Saskatoon berry jam and frequently helped out his neighbours, said resident Ruby Works.
She said she thought of him as an uncle and collapsed when she found out he had been killed.
"He didn't do anything. He didn't deserve this. He was a good, kind-hearted man," said Works.
Resident Robert Rush said Petterson was a widower who lived with his adult grandson. He said the grandson was in the basement of their home when Petterson was attacked.
"He stayed down there until they were gone."
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 8, 2022.
Sanderson tried to kill one of the mass stabbing victims before, court records show
Katie Nicholson, Carly Thomas - Wednesday
The prime suspect in the recent mass stabbing in Saskatchewan tried to kill one of the victims seven years ago, court records reveal.
Those records say Myles Sanderson tried to kill his father-in-law, Earl Burns, in January 2015 by repeatedly stabbing him with a knife. He also assaulted another Burns family member. Sanderson was convicted and sentenced to two years less a day.
Burns, 66, was among the 10 people killed over the weekend, police said Wednesday, in the rampage in James Smith Cree Nation and nearby Weldon, Sask.
Burns was a veteran who served with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. In a tribute, Veterans Voices of Canada said he "gave his life to save his wife and grandchildren" during Sunday's attack.
Sanderson died Wednesday night after being taken into custody.
The court records say Sanderson was also convicted in 2018 for trying to stab two other men in the First Nation with a cheese knife.
RCMP officers stand on Highway 11 near Rosthern, Sask., after Sanderson's arrest.© Kendall Latimer/CBC
They also show a long history of intimate partner violence charges and convictions. Sanderson was first charged with assault against his partner in 2011. That charge was eventually dropped.
A year later Sanderson was brought up on fresh assault charges for attacking her. He was convicted and handed 18 months probation and ordered to stay away from alcohol and drugs. He was also ordered to undergo counselling for anger management and domestic violence and to complete an addictions program.
He was charged again in 2013 for assaulting the same woman and stealing a car, after which he was handed another 18 months probation. Sanderson was once again ordered to stay away from alcohol and start addictions counselling.
New charges were laid against him for assaulting her again in 2015 and 2018.
The records show that time and again he was ordered to stay away from the woman, to get counselling, and even to write her an apology.
In November 2017 he was charged in Regina with both assaulting someone and possessing a sawed-off shotgun. He was also charged on the same day with robbing a restaurant.
He was found guilty of the assault and robbery but the weapons charge was dropped. Sanderson was sentenced to nine months and three years in federal prison, to be served concurrently.
It's not clear why he was still free in June 2018 when he assaulted an RCMP officer at James Smith Cree Nation who was attempting to arrest him. He was sentenced to 569 days in prison to be served concurrently with his other sentences.
After serving two-thirds of that sentence he was eligible for statutory release in August 2021. By November his release was suspended when it emerged he lied about staying with his ex-partner, in breach of conditions.
But in February the Parole Board of Canada lifted that suspension.
"It is the Board's opinion that you will not present an undue risk to society if released on statutory release and that your release will contribute to the protection of society by facilitating your reintegration into society as a law–abiding citizen," the board said in its decision.
Katie Nicholson, Carly Thomas - Wednesday
The prime suspect in the recent mass stabbing in Saskatchewan tried to kill one of the victims seven years ago, court records reveal.
Those records say Myles Sanderson tried to kill his father-in-law, Earl Burns, in January 2015 by repeatedly stabbing him with a knife. He also assaulted another Burns family member. Sanderson was convicted and sentenced to two years less a day.
Burns, 66, was among the 10 people killed over the weekend, police said Wednesday, in the rampage in James Smith Cree Nation and nearby Weldon, Sask.
Burns was a veteran who served with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. In a tribute, Veterans Voices of Canada said he "gave his life to save his wife and grandchildren" during Sunday's attack.
Sanderson died Wednesday night after being taken into custody.
The court records say Sanderson was also convicted in 2018 for trying to stab two other men in the First Nation with a cheese knife.
RCMP officers stand on Highway 11 near Rosthern, Sask., after Sanderson's arrest.© Kendall Latimer/CBC
They also show a long history of intimate partner violence charges and convictions. Sanderson was first charged with assault against his partner in 2011. That charge was eventually dropped.
A year later Sanderson was brought up on fresh assault charges for attacking her. He was convicted and handed 18 months probation and ordered to stay away from alcohol and drugs. He was also ordered to undergo counselling for anger management and domestic violence and to complete an addictions program.
He was charged again in 2013 for assaulting the same woman and stealing a car, after which he was handed another 18 months probation. Sanderson was once again ordered to stay away from alcohol and start addictions counselling.
New charges were laid against him for assaulting her again in 2015 and 2018.
The records show that time and again he was ordered to stay away from the woman, to get counselling, and even to write her an apology.
In November 2017 he was charged in Regina with both assaulting someone and possessing a sawed-off shotgun. He was also charged on the same day with robbing a restaurant.
He was found guilty of the assault and robbery but the weapons charge was dropped. Sanderson was sentenced to nine months and three years in federal prison, to be served concurrently.
It's not clear why he was still free in June 2018 when he assaulted an RCMP officer at James Smith Cree Nation who was attempting to arrest him. He was sentenced to 569 days in prison to be served concurrently with his other sentences.
After serving two-thirds of that sentence he was eligible for statutory release in August 2021. By November his release was suspended when it emerged he lied about staying with his ex-partner, in breach of conditions.
But in February the Parole Board of Canada lifted that suspension.
"It is the Board's opinion that you will not present an undue risk to society if released on statutory release and that your release will contribute to the protection of society by facilitating your reintegration into society as a law–abiding citizen," the board said in its decision.
'Like TNT': Experts say Saskatchewan attacks underscore need for justice support
The Canadian Press
A deadly stabbing rampage over the Labour Day weekend in rural Saskatchewan underscores a critical lack of social supports in Canada's justice system, experts say.
RCMP have named Myles Sanderson, 32, as a suspect in Sunday's attacks on the James Smith Cree Nation and nearby village of Weldon, northeast of Saskatoon, that left 10 people dead and 18 injured. His younger brother Damien Sanderson, who had also been named a suspect, was also found dead near one of the crime scenes Monday from wounds police said were not self-inflicted.
Myles Sanderson was taken into custody near the town of Rosthern, Sask., on Wednesday.
Darryl Davies, a criminology expert at Carleton University, said risk factors for violent crime are well understood in his field and Sanderson’s profile, as described in a February decision from the Parole Board of Canada, should have given off more warning signs.
"This person is like TNT, is going to explode any time," he said.
Sanderson's August 2021 statutory release from prison was revoked after four months because he didn’t communicate with his parole supervisor, according to the decision obtained by The Canadian Press.
The board described Sanderson's violent criminal history as "concerning," but decided to reinstate his release with a reprimand after concluding he "will not present an undue risk to society."
Davies, who had a decades-long career as a parole officer, said the situation points to what he sees as chronic dysfunction in how the Canadian government and justice system approach preventing violent crime.
"Our justice system is in chaos at the moment."
Davies said too much money is spent on funding police forces and the correctional system and too little on social and economic supports for people who grew up around violence, poverty and addiction.
The Parole Board said Wednesday that it would be convening a joint investigation, along with the Correctional Service of Canada, to fully understand the events surrounding Sanderson's statutory release and supervision in the community.
"The purpose of the joint (investigation) is to analyze all of the facts and circumstances around this case, including whether laws, policies and protocols were followed, and to identify any recommendations and corrective measures," the board said in an emailed statement.
It said the two agencies would also ensure the probe does not interfere with the RCMP's investigation into the slayings and they are committed to publicly sharing the results, as well as any measures that result from its recommendations.
Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told reporters Tuesday he agrees the board's decision-making process in general should be examined.
He cautioned against trying to find an easy explanation.
"There's a propensity sometimes to try to distil it to a simple cause," he said in Vancouver. "I think we should resist that temptation and rather, right now, focus our efforts on doing everything we can to support the community at this difficult time."
Davies said better funding of schools, housing and addiction supports would go a long way to preventing violence.
In addition to raising concerns about Sanderson's history of domestic violence and use of weapons, the Parole Board document also detailed a childhood marked by violence, neglect and substance abuse.
Sanderson began drinking and using marijuana at age 12, it said, and noted many of his crimes as an adult happened when he was intoxicated.
Steve Joordens, a psychology professor at the University of Toronto's Scarborough campus, agreed more social supports are needed for children experiencing hardship and for people convicted of crimes.
Joordens said people who commit mass violent attacks generally have reached a point of detachment from others and feel a lack of empathy for victims. That can often be traced back to trauma and isolation from others that's turned into anger, he added.
"It's a hard thing to undo. And it's certainly not going to be undone simply by sort of letting people into society and hoping they reintegrate and they make some friends and everything works out," he said, adding parole conditions that incorporate elements of social connection and support could help.
"If we don't change anything about the circumstances, there's probably a good chance they're going to fail again, where failure is committing whatever crime they committed."
Joordens said the situation also speaks to challenges the justice system faces around predicting violent behaviour.
"It's what every parole board worries about, I'm sure: You let somebody on parole and that person will go do something absolutely horrific," he said.
"But probably the vast majority of the time, nothing like that happens."
The parole document said Sanderson grew up between his father's home in an urban centre and his grandparents' house on a First Nation and that there was violence and abuse in both households.
Sol Mamakwa, an Indigenous legislator and deputy leader of the Ontario NDP, said the role of historic and ongoing oppression of Indigenous people in Canada needs to be acknowledged in the aftermath of the slayings.
"Oppression, colonialism has become a way of life for Indigenous people. I think that's why we need to be able to start acknowledging the past and move forward together as a province, as a country," he said.
"It's going to take some time, but I think to learn about the history, acknowledge that — I think that's where change starts."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 7, 2022.
— with files from Angela Amato in Edmonton.
Holly McKenzie-Sutter, The Canadian Press
A deadly stabbing rampage over the Labour Day weekend in rural Saskatchewan underscores a critical lack of social supports in Canada's justice system, experts say.
RCMP have named Myles Sanderson, 32, as a suspect in Sunday's attacks on the James Smith Cree Nation and nearby village of Weldon, northeast of Saskatoon, that left 10 people dead and 18 injured. His younger brother Damien Sanderson, who had also been named a suspect, was also found dead near one of the crime scenes Monday from wounds police said were not self-inflicted.
Myles Sanderson was taken into custody near the town of Rosthern, Sask., on Wednesday.
Darryl Davies, a criminology expert at Carleton University, said risk factors for violent crime are well understood in his field and Sanderson’s profile, as described in a February decision from the Parole Board of Canada, should have given off more warning signs.
"This person is like TNT, is going to explode any time," he said.
Sanderson's August 2021 statutory release from prison was revoked after four months because he didn’t communicate with his parole supervisor, according to the decision obtained by The Canadian Press.
The board described Sanderson's violent criminal history as "concerning," but decided to reinstate his release with a reprimand after concluding he "will not present an undue risk to society."
Davies, who had a decades-long career as a parole officer, said the situation points to what he sees as chronic dysfunction in how the Canadian government and justice system approach preventing violent crime.
"Our justice system is in chaos at the moment."
Davies said too much money is spent on funding police forces and the correctional system and too little on social and economic supports for people who grew up around violence, poverty and addiction.
The Parole Board said Wednesday that it would be convening a joint investigation, along with the Correctional Service of Canada, to fully understand the events surrounding Sanderson's statutory release and supervision in the community.
"The purpose of the joint (investigation) is to analyze all of the facts and circumstances around this case, including whether laws, policies and protocols were followed, and to identify any recommendations and corrective measures," the board said in an emailed statement.
It said the two agencies would also ensure the probe does not interfere with the RCMP's investigation into the slayings and they are committed to publicly sharing the results, as well as any measures that result from its recommendations.
Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino told reporters Tuesday he agrees the board's decision-making process in general should be examined.
He cautioned against trying to find an easy explanation.
"There's a propensity sometimes to try to distil it to a simple cause," he said in Vancouver. "I think we should resist that temptation and rather, right now, focus our efforts on doing everything we can to support the community at this difficult time."
Davies said better funding of schools, housing and addiction supports would go a long way to preventing violence.
In addition to raising concerns about Sanderson's history of domestic violence and use of weapons, the Parole Board document also detailed a childhood marked by violence, neglect and substance abuse.
Sanderson began drinking and using marijuana at age 12, it said, and noted many of his crimes as an adult happened when he was intoxicated.
Steve Joordens, a psychology professor at the University of Toronto's Scarborough campus, agreed more social supports are needed for children experiencing hardship and for people convicted of crimes.
Joordens said people who commit mass violent attacks generally have reached a point of detachment from others and feel a lack of empathy for victims. That can often be traced back to trauma and isolation from others that's turned into anger, he added.
"It's a hard thing to undo. And it's certainly not going to be undone simply by sort of letting people into society and hoping they reintegrate and they make some friends and everything works out," he said, adding parole conditions that incorporate elements of social connection and support could help.
"If we don't change anything about the circumstances, there's probably a good chance they're going to fail again, where failure is committing whatever crime they committed."
Joordens said the situation also speaks to challenges the justice system faces around predicting violent behaviour.
"It's what every parole board worries about, I'm sure: You let somebody on parole and that person will go do something absolutely horrific," he said.
"But probably the vast majority of the time, nothing like that happens."
The parole document said Sanderson grew up between his father's home in an urban centre and his grandparents' house on a First Nation and that there was violence and abuse in both households.
Sol Mamakwa, an Indigenous legislator and deputy leader of the Ontario NDP, said the role of historic and ongoing oppression of Indigenous people in Canada needs to be acknowledged in the aftermath of the slayings.
"Oppression, colonialism has become a way of life for Indigenous people. I think that's why we need to be able to start acknowledging the past and move forward together as a province, as a country," he said.
"It's going to take some time, but I think to learn about the history, acknowledge that — I think that's where change starts."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 7, 2022.
— with files from Angela Amato in Edmonton.
Holly McKenzie-Sutter, The Canadian Press
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