Funerals for Saskatchewan stabbing victims begin

The first funerals, for Christian Head and Lana Head, took place Monday, with others following in the days after.

The survivors and families of the 10 people who died in the stabbing attack at James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Sask., have begun laying the victims to rest.

The first funerals, for Christian Head and Lana Head, took place Monday, with others following in the days after.

Darryl Burns, brother to Gloria Burns, whose funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, said he is looking for solace.

And while the community is remembering those lost, he also said the country should not forget the lessons learned during the attacks.

“All the resources that are coming into our community to help deal with this tragedy or to deal with the aftereffects of what’s going on, should be available to every (Indigenous) community across Canada,” he said.

He pointed to the racism First Nations people experience every day and the ongoing effects of residential schools, like addictions, as issues that need help and only now, during the tragedy, are receiving proper attention.

“I don’t know if you know how it is to walk into a store and, because you’re (First Nations)… they follow me around and make you feel like a criminal,” he said.

“It’s hard to live with that every day of your life.”