Sol Sanderson, a Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations senator from James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN), blamed not just the failure of the justice system in the mass stabbing attacks carried out by brothers Myles and Damien Sanderson, but “colonial Canadian policies.”.“Colonial Canadian policies have devastated our people and community for years,” said Sanderson. .“It was integration, assimilation, and liquidation to make us like them.”.The brothers Myles and Damien Sanderson went on a killing spree on September 4 on the JSCN and the neighbouring village of Weldon, Saskatchewan, killing ten people..Sanderson said colonial Canada caused the increase in abuse, mental health issues, high suicide rates, gangs, and drugs and alcohol addictions amongst indigenous peoples..According to Sanderson, the reason Myles and Damien went on their killing spree was because of “systemic racism and colonial suppression.”.“Now we’re blaming a young man because he was addicted to drugs and alcohol and violence … Well, other people are hurting, too, and that violence won’t stop,” said Sol..“I don’t condone what he has done, but those are symptoms that have been there for many years. It’s happening in many places, not just JSCN. But nobody realizes it’s coming from systemic racism and colonial suppression.”.Sanderson also said that the JSCN faced “extra trauma” after it was forced to assimilate with two other indigenous nations, the Peter Chapman Band and the Chakastaypasin Band of the Cree Nation..READ MORE Mass stabbing suspects charged with first degree murder and manhunt continues.Myles and Damien stabbed 28 people, killing 10 and injuring 18 more people..Six of the 10 dead were members of the Burns family..READ MORE Burns family the potential target of the mass stabbing attacks.As of Monday, according to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, four people remain in hospital, but none are in the Intensive Care Unit.
