The family of three of the victims from Sunday’s stabbing rampage spoke out today (Wed) with the message to focus on the victims as the heroes they are. Mark Arcand asked that his title with the Saskatoon Tribal Council not be used, because he is just one of many who have been affected by this tragedy.

His sister, Bonnie Goodvoice Burns, and her eldest son Gregory Burns, were killed outside of their home, and one of her three surviving sons was stabbed in the neck, but is now out of the hospital. Arcand says Bonnie was protecting her sons. Her husband Brian Burns was away for the weekend. Her three children, Dason, Mason and Grayson, and two foster children witnessed all of this. Arcand adds that the first responder who was fatally stabbed had been responding to a call for help from Bonnie, and was also killed in the front yard.

When he found out on Sunday, he knew he needed to go to the James Smith Cree Nation to help his family. “Driving to the community that day was the longest two hours of my life not knowing what to expect. In the back of my mind, I thought of my family. What are they thinking? I hope they are holding each other, hugging each other, telling each other they love them”. Arcand says Sunday was a difficult day. He and his brother-in-law watched Bonnie and Gregory lying on the ground in the yard while police investigated. As an alcoholic who hasn’t had a drink for 22 years, he really wanted to turn to alcohol to escape. He says he wanted it so bad he could taste it, but his choices were fight or flight and he chose to stay and fight.

He believes his sister and nephew would want their loved ones to heal and move on, with love and compassion, and to think of other people, but to never forget. Arcand’s message is to not focus on the reasons for the violence, and instead focus on how to help others. He realizes that healing for his family, and particular the three surviving boys is not going to come quickly and they will need help. That’s why a Go Fund Me page has been set up, to help with the expenses.

Click here for the Go Fund Me page.