MELFORT – Tensions resurfaced in James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) as a significant police presence converged on the community following an assault on Aug. 8.
JSCN Chief Wally Burns confirmed with SASKTODAY.ca that the man arrested is a half-brother to mass killer 32-year-old Myles Sanderson who stabbed 11 people to death and injured 17 others on JSCN, and nearby Weldon, on Sept. 4, 2022. Following an intensive four-day manhunt, Myles Sanderson died after being arrested by RCMP. Myles Sanderson's brother Damien Sanderson, was at first thought to be a suspect during the manhunt but RCMP later confirmed that he wasn't involved in the rampage and was also murdered by Myles Sanderson.
Chief Burns said the incident on Aug. 8 likely re-opened wounds for a lot of JSCN residents.
“I think it kind of takes us back a few steps.”
Officers from Melfort, Tisdale, and Prince Albert RCMP detachments started searching for 35-year-old Kelly Shane Burns after police got a call about an assault and threats, at around 10:55 p.m. on Aug. 8.
A few hours later, at about 12:15 a.m. on Aug. 9, Prince Albert RCMP located Kelly Burns inside a vehicle about one kilometre west of Muskoday Cree Nation on Highway 3 near Prince Albert.
Kelly Burns was arrested and taken to Melfort hospital for medical treatment from injuries that weren’t related to his arrest. He was held in police cells until his first appearance in Nipawin Circuit Court Aug. 9 to face charges of assault and failing to comply with an appearance notice. He was remanded in custody and appears again on Aug. 15 for a show cause hearing.
Melfort RCMP say that a female victim sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and didn’t require immediate medical attention.
Melfort RCMP thanked JSCN security for their help with the investigation.
Likewise, Chief Burns praised JSCN’s security and RCMP in how they responded to the situation, adding that the police response is getting better after the September 2022 mass murder. It had taken RCMP 38 minutes to arrive on JSCN after the first call about the stabbings on Sept. 4, 2022.
“I commend our security and the RCMP for working together at fixing the gap.”
JSCN is now pushing to have its own police force.
“Hopefully one day we’ll have our own self-administered policing,” said Chief Burns.
“We're still working hard in that area,” he added. “I'd like to commend the people behind the scenes, such as Edie Head our justice worker overseeing the things that need to be done and Coun. Alvin Moostoos.”
Still, Chief Burns said like many First Nation communities, JSCN faces social issues that need to be addressed.
“Just like any other communities we’re facing (issues with) drugs and alcohol.”
On Sept. 6, 2022, Kelly Burns had posted on Facebook that his mother stopped his half-brother Myles Sanderson from entering a home, which he said prevented more deaths.
“If it wasn’t for my mom stopping Myles at Melrose place there probably would be four more deaths. My Mom stopped him from re-entering a dwelling where a party was happening. She did what she could and I’m thankful she saved them boys from severe injuries or even worse. I also wanna thank my brother Damien (Sanderson) for being the rock in our family for the past years. It was him who brought us all together when times were tough in our family… I looked up to Peeler (Damien) in more ways than any. The same way he looked up to me. I hope to see Myles again to ask him why? Why did you take our baby brother away? Why all those people!? My children lost a grampa and our community lost a good man, a war veteran, a good brother and husband and a damn good bus driver to name a few qualities Earl Sr. had. I lost more than I’ll ever hope to lose the other day just thought I’d let you all know.”
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