RCMP officers who responded to a stabbing rampage on a Saskatchewan First Nation were to present evidence on the first day of a coroner’s inquest into the mass killing.
Myles Sanderson killed 11 people and injured 17 others on James Smith Cree Nation and in the nearby village of Weldon on Sept. 4, 2022.
Mr. Sanderson, 32, died in police custody a few days later.
“The objective is to have the story told, honour those victims that died on that day and try to come up with some recommendations that will help prevent this from happening again in the future,” Clive Weighill, Saskatchewan’s chief coroner, said on Jan. 15 in Melfort, Sask., where the inquest is being held.
A jury can also make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.
James Smith Cree Nation Chief Wally Burns says the inquest will likely bring back trauma for community members, but he hopes it will also help with healing.
“Our nation has went through a lot, is dealing with a lot,” Chief Burns said in a recent interview.
The Saskatchewan Coroners Service has said the inquest is expected to last at least two weeks.
The six-person jury was finalized on Jan. 15. Two other people, who will attend the inquest and listen to all of the evidence, were chosen as alternates.
Mr. Weighill said Mounties were set to tell the inquest about the RCMP response in the afternoon.
“They will walk everybody through exactly what happened for the first hours leading up to the event and through the event itself,” Mr. Weighill said.
A second inquest focusing on Mr. Sanderson’s death is scheduled in February. Public inquests are mandatory in Saskatchewan when a person dies in police custody.
RCMP have described how Mr. Sanderson was stealing vehicles, busting down doors, and going door-to-door stabbing people during the rampage.
“There’s’ not going to be a trial, so this (inquest) is the only way that the family and the public can hear exactly what happened,” Mr. Weighill said.
A coroner was in the community last week to prepare families for graphic details expected to be presented during the inquest, Chief Burns said.
The chief said the First Nation is preparing to support community members through cultural ceremonies, and will provide other health services they may need.
Family members of the victims gathered on Jan. 15 together to smudge, a traditional practice for safety, well-being and healing, before the inquest began.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, extended sympathies to all affected.
“Together, as a Nation, we mourn with the people of James Smith Cree Nation,” Chief Bobby Cameron said in a news release.
“We wish all those affected may find some consolation and strength during this unprecedented time of immense sadness and grief.”
Chief Burns said he hopes the inquest will provide recommendations about self-administered policing for the First Nation. He added he would like to see First Nations receive a notification when a member is released from prison.
Mr. Sanderson, who had a record of violent assaults, had received statutory release earlier that year but was unlawfully at large at the time of the killings.
