Assembly of First Nations national chief visits cemeteries, memorials in James Smith Cree Nation

Marie Sanderson adjusts the yellow flowers on an arrangement, shaped to look like a school bus. There are two in the ditch where Earl Burns died — both here to pay tribute to his role as a local school bus driver.

"I just feel thankful that he put that much toward the reserve that people came and paid their respects," said Sanderson, one of Burns's sisters.

"He did a lot for the community — volunteering and things like that."

Sanderson and her husband started this memorial for Burns. Along with the school bus flowers, there are several bouquets, tobacco offerings and wreaths all surrounding a large white cross that has been cemented in place.

Burns was one of 10 people stabbed to death during one of Canada's worst mass killings, which started in James Smith Cree Nation on Sept. 4. 

The two accused, brothers Myles and Damien Sanderson, are also dead.

After Burns was stabbed, his family says he tried to chase the brothers down using the school bus he drove students in. His family says he died while driving, and the bus crashed here — into the ditch.

Now, flowers, cards, tobacco and wreaths lie between the tire tracks — focusing on good memories.

"It really felt good that people came out to support us," Marie said of the colourful wreaths other families, veterans and friends dropped off.

"That's what our community is all about. We all like supporting each other."

Assembly of First Nations chief visits

Sanderson showed this site to Assembly of First Nations chief RoseAnne Archibald on Sunday afternoon. The national chief was in James Smith to show her respects and solidarity.

"There are many people — including leadership like myself — who are thinking about them, praying for them, wanting them to heal from this catastrophic thing that happened in the community."

Archibald was taken to two cemeteries in James Smith, both trips private and quiet events. Band councillors also showed her where the wakes happened and where a sacred fire burned so she could offer tobacco.

Archibald said she also met with a young survivor who was injured that night.

"The atmosphere, it's still very sombre," said Archibald at the band office.

"So many people were killed and injured in this community, and it could take decades to heal from that."

Meeting between chiefs

On Monday, Archibald met with James Smith Cree Nation Chief Wally Burns in Prince Albert, Sask. Burns said they discussed addictions awareness and treatment funding, mental health resources and housing issues.

"Not only James Smith but, you know, the other communities that are still struggling like La Loche, you know, Onion Lake. With all these communities that are faced with the drug situation and alcohol, it's one of the things that we really have to look at."

Later this week, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon is scheduled to visit James Smith and pay her respects. Burns says his community is open to visitors, but adds there's a lot of trust involved when he meets with federal representatives and politicians.

"To me, I have confidence and I have trust in the people that I have a discussion with. That's my bond with them," he said.

"If they don't want to help, then there's the next thing that we have to push for — making sure our voices are heard. Not only here but across Turtle Island."

After the meeting, Archibald said she will call Patty Hajdu, the federal minister of Indigenous Services, to discuss funding.

"I'm interested in talking with her about accelerating some of the funding pieces," she said.

"There's a bureaucratic process that slows it down, so I'm interested in talking to her about how quickly are these funds rolling out. How quickly can funding be given for a treatment centre and the programming that they need? How can we assist the community with a crisis response team?"

The other type of help James Smith needs, Archibald says , is continued support from Canadians who came together in early September.

"I think it's imperative that we circle back to the story and see how the community is doing so people who've expressed that great love and care from across Canada can find out what's happening and continue to offer their support," Archibald said. "That is what this community will need in the years ahead."