A candlelight vigil for the victims of the recent stabbings is held in front of the Prince Albert Grand Council main office. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

STAND BY ME

‘We were always close’: Family of stabbing victim remembers their loved one during vigil in P.A.

Sep 14, 2022 | 1:00 PM

As funerals for the victims of the stabbings in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon continue, the family of one of those lost recalls his smiling face.

Earl Burns was one of 10 people killed in the stabbing spree on September 4.

His younger brother Orlen Burns recalled that fateful morning.

“I don’t know a whole lot. My wife got a phone call from my daughter saying, ‘Uncle Earl is dead.’ I jumped in my truck, and I drove to his place to check on him. On the way in, I saw his bus in the ditch on the curb.”

I went to his place [and] nobody answered. I went to the bus and I could see him laying on the floor. He was already deceased. I started crying, I was bursting out in tears.”

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Burns said his brother died after chasing the stabbing suspects from his bus. He was stabbed in his home.

Orlen and members of his family were in Prince Albert Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil in front of the main office for the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC).

Dozens gathered at the vigil including the chief and members of the Prince Albert Police Service, and First Nations Chiefs from member nations of the PAGC. They included Chief Marcel Head of Shoal Lake Cree Nation, Chief Joyce Naytowhow McLeod of Montreal Lake and Grand Chief of the PAGC Brian Hardlotte.

Bobby Cameron, Chief of the Federation of Independent Nations (FSIN) also spoke at the vigil, encouraging those in attendance to hold the community and families in James Smith Cree Nation in prayer, as prayer is what will get them through.

In the field near the main office, stood a teepee lit up with candles as dusk turned to night. On the outside of the teepee were photos of all 10 victims.

A teepee outside the PAGC Main Office with pictures of the 10 victims of the recent fatal stabbings. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

Photos of victims from the stabbings at James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon were placed on a teepee during a vigil on September 13, 2022. (Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

The vigil included songs performed by the drum group Ironswing and ended with a rendition of the song Stand By Me.

While Orlen and the Burns family prepare for Earl’s funeral on Saturday, he took time to recall the good memories he shared with his brother.

“He was a good guy, a fun guy to be around, always smiling no matter what.”

He added he and his brother were avid rodeo participants, competing in bareback riding and saddle bronc.

As for how he is coming to grips with the loss of his brother, Orlen said his immediate and extended family are helping him.

“It’s coming together. We were always close.”

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock