Nathan George Bekkattla, 55, is shown in this photo. He died following a stabbing on Buffalo River Dene Nation on Sept. 13, 2023. (Image Credit: Martens Warman Funeral Home)

By Kenneth Cheung

CRIME

Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2023 stabbing death on Buffalo River Dene Nation

Mar 30, 2026 | 2:41 PM

A northern Saskatchewan man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 2023 stabbing death of another man, resolving a case that was set for a nine-day trial.

Nathan Billette entered the plea in Court of King’s Bench in Battleford on Monday, the first day of proceedings. He had originally been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 55-year-old Nathan George Bekkattla.

The resolution was reached after discussions between Crown and defence continued in the days leading up to trial, resulting in an amended indictment.

The charge stems from an early-morning incident on Sept. 13, 2023, when RCMP were called to a home on Buffalo River Dene Nation after receiving reports of an injured man.

An agreed statement of facts read in court says three 911 calls were made, including one from the victim’s brother, who reported Bekkattla had phoned him saying, “Nathan stabbed me, and I need help.”

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Officers arrived shortly after and entered the home, where they found Bekkattla unresponsive as his brother performed CPR before police took over. Blood was observed near the front door and through parts of the residence.

According to the agreed facts, Bekkattla was lying on the floor with a blanket placed under his head by his brother, who also used a shirt to try to stop the bleeding from a wound on his chest.

His brother later described lifting the victim’s shirt and seeing “a wound of approximately two inches in length” on the left side under his ribs, “where his intestines were sticking up.”

A forensic pathologist later confirmed the cause of death was a stab wound.

Court also heard that the accused and victim had exchanged a series of messages in the hours leading up to the incident that showed escalating tension. 

In those messages, Billette wrote, “I’m going to get you” and “I know where your house is.” 

Witnesses told investigators Billette was intoxicated and “very upset and angry” before leaving, telling others, “I don’t f*** around.”

Court also heard that in a conversation with his sister after the stabbing, the accused said he had hurt the victim because he was “lying about him.”

Police located and arrested Billette later that morning. He has remained in custody since Sept. 13, 2023.

Sentencing has been adjourned to April 9 to allow time for victim impact statements and further submissions.

—

Kenneth.cheung@pattisonmedia.com