An article published by CBC today, effectively highlights the James Smith Cree stabbings that took place 11 days ago. Rather than solely placing blame on the two suspects, Myles and Daniel Sanderson, the article discusses the potential reasons and circumstances that could have influnced these two young men to murder numerous victims. Additionally, the article states that Myles Sanderson began using cocaine and other substances when he was 14, and how this along with the fact that "over 80% of James Smith residents have relatives who are from Indian resedential school experiences", contributed to the suspects motivations (Rachini). Furthermore, these societal and social circumstances have caused all members of the community to be impacted by intergenerational trauma and there is an outcry for more police presence and protection. This is highlighted by one of the chiefs in the James Smith Cree community, who discusses the "need for community mobilization, prevention and awareness, and police training" (Rachini). Personally, I find it sad that alcoholism, drugs, and intergenerational trauma continue to affect these communities but little is done by government officials or those in power to help reduce these concerns. As Canadians, we are aware of the impacts that various documents like the Indian Act, Numbered treaties, and residential schools have had on our Indigenous population and yet we fail to effectively meet the basic needs of our people. Indigenous people comprise nearly 5% of our population, and yet we continue to ignore their cries for funding and help (Parott).

Works cited:
Parrott, Zach. "Indigenous Peoples in Canada". The Canadian Encyclopedia, 28 May 2020, Historica Canada. www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/aboriginal-people. Accessed 15 September 2022.
Rachini, Mouhamad. "There Has To Be Purpose From This Tragedy, Says Indigenous Leader On Sask Stabbings". CBC, 15 September, 2022. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/saskatchewan-stabbings-aftermath-1.6584260