Candlelight vigils in Saskatoon, Regina for La Loche
Hundreds gathered to show support for the northern Saskatchewan community
The recent tragedy in La Loche, Sask. has been felt across the entire province.
In Saskatoon and Regina Wednesday night, hundreds of people gathered to light candles and send support to the northern Saskatchewan community.
"As a parent, first and foremost, this really hit home or me. You send your children off to school and you feel they are safe in that environment," said Meanie Dene, president for the First Nations University of Canada Saskatoon campus students association.
"But also as a student and an indigenous person as well, I believe this is the first time this has ever happened in a First Nation community."
Last Friday, a teacher and educational assistant were killed during a school shooting at La Loche Community School. Seven others were injured and two teenage brothers were killed at a separate location.
A 17-year-old male suspect has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder.
"For me, I believe that this is a wake up call for our youth. They are calling out to us and saying we need help, we need your attention, we need all those services that urban city kids have," Dene said.
In Saskatoon, over 50 people came out to Vimy Memorial bandshell to light candles and listen to the prayers of an elder.
At the vigil in Regina, organized by local teachers, more than 200 people showed up to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum parking lot. A procession, holding lit candles, walked to the Legislative Building.