Saskatchewan stabbings: Trudeau commits $62.5 million to James Smith Cree Nation’s healing | FULL

Credit: Global News

Meeting with leaders, families and survivors at James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan on Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a commitment of $62.5 million over the course of six years to support Indigenous-led approaches to mental health and community safety.

From this new funding, $42.5 million will help support mental wellness and healing, including through the building of a new wellness centre in the community, repurposing the existing Sakwatamo Lodge and developing mental health programs.

“I know you’re still reeling and still processing what happened and what took place,” Trudeau told community leaders and members in attendance. “And I know from the conversations I had, that members of the community are still grappling with it every single day.”

Trudeau’s visit came nearly three months after a deadly stabbing rampage in Saskatchewan that was rocked the community by the tragedy. On Sept. 4, 11 people were killed and 18 others were injured in the community, as well as in the nearby village of Weldon, Sask., northeast of Saskatoon. Myles Sanderson, 32, the suspect in the attacks, later died in police custody after ingesting drugs following a four-day-long manhunt.