Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lays a flower at the grave site of one of the victims of a mass stabbing attack in September. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

By Nigel Maxwell

emotional visit

Trudeau pays respects to stabbing victims at James Smith Cree Nation

Nov 28, 2022 | 4:04 PM

JAMES SMITH CREE NATION — Nearly three months after a mass stabbing gripped the community of James Smith Cree Nation and Canada as a whole, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come to pay his respects.

Among his first stops Monday was the cemetary behind Saint Stephen’s Anglican Church where, escorted by local leaders, the prime minister remembered and honoured victims of the attack.

Despite the freezing temperatures and wind, Trudeau seemed almost unphased and took his time at each individual grave site to say a prayer.

From the cemetary, Trudeau will meet with local leaderships and family members of the victims, and later in the afternoon will make formal remarks and an announcement at Bernard Constant Community School.

The mass stabbing that took place in early September, left 11 dead and 18 injured in the community as well as in the nearby village of Weldon.

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The suspect in the attacks, Myles Sanderson, later died in police custody.

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

Trudeau said the entire country was “reeling” after the violent attacks on Sept. 4.

“I’m so humbled to be here, to listen (and) also to offer resources and support on behalf of the Government of Canada and, quite frankly, on behalf of all Canadians who were just heartbroken as all of you were by what happened in September,” he said.

“Of course, the healing process will take a long time and what I wanted to really say is that we will be there as partners to all of you as you move forward.”

Later in the afternoon, Trudeau announced during a media conference at Bernard Constant Community School that the federal government is investing $42.5 million over six years to build a new wellness centre on James Smith Cree Nation and repurposing the existing Sakwatamo Lodge.

The funding also will enable James Smith Cree Nation “to develop and design programs that best serve the needs of their members including increasing access to mental health, trauma, and substance use services,” a media release from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

There’s also $4.5 million “to support the healing, mental health, and well-being of community members impacted by the tragic events of September, and to support Indigenous-led approaches to community safety.”

Trudeau also announced $20 million over four years to top up the Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative. That program will look to implement the Federal Pathway and end violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

–with files from CKOM News

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell