The family of one of the Sept. 4 stabbing victims, Christian Head, speaks at a press conference Sept. 8, 2022 on James Smith Cree Nation. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

By Jaryn Vecchio

ongoing support

‘They need help, resources and a lot of guidance’: Mayor of La Loche speaks from experience in aftermath of tragedy

Sep 9, 2022 | 4:00 PM

The mass stabbing on Sept. 4 in James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon, SK brought back a lot of emotions for the residents of La Loche in northern Saskatchewan – emotions that have taken years to repress.

On Jan. 22, 2016, Randan Dakota Fontaine, who was 17 at the time, shot and killed two of his cousins before going to the community school, killed two more and injured several others.

When news broke this past weekend about the mass stabbings in Saskatchewan’s northeast, Leonard Montgrand’s thoughts immediately went back to that moment in time.

“It did bring back memories for myself, the community, how it struggles to maintain and questions to ask but (police) have no answers.”

At the time, Montgrand was an employee at the La Loche Friendship Centre. He’s since become its executive director. His son was at the school when the incident happened but was able to run outside and avoid the shooter. Montgrand helped to console members of his community in the aftermath and six years later, still describes the situation as surreal.

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“People to this day ask why did he do it and we still don’t know… they need to have closure,” he said.

Montgrand said, unfortunately, residents in the communities of James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon will likely suffer the same torment. Since both suspects in the case are dead, RCMP have said the motive behind the massacre may be impossible to discover. Montgrand said La Loche is still recovering, but proper healing, he explained, is a very long process. He advised those suffering from the recent events to reach out for help.

“Don’t be afraid. It may not hit you today, it may not hit you tomorrow, but it will eventually come,” he said.

Montgrand said to stay on the path to recovery, people’s mental heath needs to be taken seriously.

Six years have passed since a deadly shooting in La Loche and community leaders say the healing process continues. (File photo/larongeNOW)

The Mayor of La Loche echoed that sentiment. Georgina Jolibois said her initial reaction to news of the stabbings could be best described with three words: heartbreak, sadness and shock.

Jolibois was the Member of Parliament for Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchhill River in 2016. She said she is happy to see that the federal and provincial governments are stepping up to help both James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon. Her main concern is when this support stops.

“They need help, they need resources, and they need a lot of guidance.”

Jolibois explained her community has struggled in recent years to ensure those who still need support coping with the tragedy get the help they need. Both levels of government responded immediately after the shooting and allocated resources for the village to develop a Community Wellness Plan, but Jolibois said the help was temporary and healing after a tragedy like this is a lifelong journey.

Mayor of La Loche Georgina Jolibois. (File photo/larongeNOW)

In 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $2.2 million in funding over five years for the La Loche high school. At the same time, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced it would help develop housing units for people working in health or education in the community. Jolibois said its still not enough.

“After a few years, they have the tendency to believe that the incidents that happened are over and life moves on. Both levels of government must continue to provide services and resources to James Smith Cree Nation, Weldon, as well as here in La Loche,” Jolibois said. “The resources that were provided are coming to an end and now our hands are tied and we’re left figuring out here in the community, with Chief and council and Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, how can we get the resources…and that’s not okay.”

Moving forward, Jolibois wants people in James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon to know that they are here to help them in their recovery.

Meanwhile, the city of Humboldt is also sending its condolences to the two communities. They experienced their own tragedy when 16 people died and 13 others were injured in the Humboldt Bronco’s bus crash.

Mayor Michael Behiel said, “When a tragedy of this magnitude strikes a community, we must all support one another in every way we can.”

“We will stand by these communities to offer our strength and support as they travel their healing journey and regain their resiliency, just as our nation and the world stood by all of us during our time of need.”

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow