Assembly of First Nations national chief visits cemeteries, memorials in James Smith Cree Nation
CBC
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' 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 lay 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."
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.
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