I live in Saskatoon. I have family connections to James Smith. This was written this morning by a Dakota woman (Nina Wilson) experiencing the aftermath of these sad events. Just wanted to share. Family danced to honour those lost. My heart breaks. We have so far to go.
"Woke up to all my problems today. I said thanks
There are approximately 80 coroners in Saskatchewan. Not all will be available, or in close enough proximity to the murders, so the amount of coroners attending the violence on the James Smith Cree Nation (an hour from where I currently am) will be minimal. This means no one from outside can go home yet. Loved ones are still lying in those homes or locations where they took their last breath.
Police Service Forensic Identification Units are mandated to capture and preserve evidence required for a criminal investigation. Fingerprints, photographs, scene diagrams, measurements and any exhibit item that may provide DNA from blood, hair or saliva samples. Trained Forensic Identification personnel are also responsible for photographing injury victims, fingerprinting and photographing arrested persons pursuant to the 'Identification of Criminals Act', taking court-ordered DNA samples, verifying the identities of persons of interest, attending autopsies and testifying in court.
This is a long process. And some ppl from James Smith cannot go home yet. Some may never want to go home again because this once safe place, is now a place of terror, devastation, incredible grief.
Don’t forget those first responders who unknowingly walked into their own murder. Those officers and EMS who had to tend to each murdered or dying or gravely injured person they encountered at 13 different homes. The Stars helicopter personnel who lifted victim after victim after victim to an assortment of hospitals. The debrief for attending staff will also be required. They are human too
I sat yesterday. I’d enjoy my day then I’d be reminded of what had happened, what was still happening, and I’d go from laughter n enjoyment to tears and disbelief and anger. I’m not a victim here, I’m skilled enough to process my own feelings. And so through out the day, that’s what I did. Now and then I’d help others process theirs. I watched ppl stumble along in shock. I asked as many as I could, how they’re doing. Not as a passing comment but really meant it
I watched certain men around me, especially my son. Become extra aware, extra vigilant. I watched him scan the area as we talked n laughed. I saw the weight of protection expectation, on his shoulders. Without asking, he took that on naturally. He reported seeing unusual behaviour in the crowd. He did his part in protection. I didn’t want that for him, but that’s what our sons will do.
Had to look away and not show my tears because my grandson who is 2, played unaware of the sadness I felt. So many lives lost
For nothing
Sat quiet yesterday n listened to whistle after whistle after whistle be blown. Watched dancers pour it all out there dancing in 32 heat on behalf of that tobacco for James Smith. I watched ppl on the side, dancers, spectators, with tears streaming. Mine were too
I watched the beauty of our ppl, I watched the veterans grieve for their fellow murdered vet. Yesterday morning I got a call from the Vets who expressed deep sorrow for this terrible situation. This veteran was just dancing into the pow wow the day before. His last dance was with us.
Wahpeton Dakota Nation is a kind community that practices Dakota values. These values were evident more than ever, immediately after learning of this tragedy. Kindness, care, prayer. This community knows how to pray, it is a community with one of the longest running sundances, in Treaty 6. My son in law, served this lodge for decades, and now carries a ‘new’ lodge in the community. He and his wife, their relatives, always humble and caring for the ppl.
I’m not going to talk about ones who took so many lives senselessly. Ya they probably suffered all the same intergenerational traumas we all did. But there is no excuse for what these guys did. I can’t imagine being their parents knowing how this all occurred and to also know their sons are still at large, and will most likely die by their own hands, the police, or others who will take them out should they make it to prison. No one has a child and thinks, yep, this ones gna make the headlines
In all the wrong ways
I want to know about the victims, how brave they were, not the terror they felt, but that duty they expressed by trying to protect one another, losing their own lives trying to do so. I want to know how they lived, not how they died.
Last night I sat with 10 of my own family members. We expressed love for one another. Laughed, joked, talked about what our plans were for the next wknd, the next day, the winter, etc. 10 of us. Suddenly I thought I thought of how I’d be destroyed losing 10 of my family or community members. It made me say prayers of gratitude
Love your families. Forgive one another if possible. Strengthen those bonds….do what it takes to heal ur *advertiser censored*, quit ur drinking, drugging, get help.
U woke up today. That’s a good start. Ur problems await u. Go handle them and remember, many didn’t get that chance at all'
globalnews.ca
