Red Earth Cree Nation School Closes Early for Christmas Break Following Tragic Police-Involved Shooting

The Board of Education from Red Earth Cree Nation has made the difficult decision to close the school earlier than planned for the Christmas break, following a fatal shooting involving the police that occurred on Tuesday morning.

A heartfelt letter from the Cree Nation’s Director of Education, Fabian Head, acknowledges the varied reactions that the staff and students may have in response to the loss of a community member and the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. The letter further states that the board has devised a comprehensive plan to address this incident, aimed at facilitating the return to regular learning and everyday activities for the students and their families as soon as possible. Drawing from the community’s past experiences with grief and loss, as well as the guidance of mental health professionals, schools, and the Prince Albert Grand Council, the plan encompasses support measures for teachers and counselors, including guidelines for discussing grief, loss, trauma, and associated reactions when the school reopens on January 8th.

In the early hours of Tuesday, Carrot River RCMP responded to reports of gunfire on the Cree Nation. Two individuals were apprehended at the scene, but formal charges have not yet been filed. The incident involved a 25-year-old man, who was subsequently located. According to the police, shots were fired at patrol vehicles, leading to a confrontation between the officers and the individual. Firearms were discharged during the altercation, resulting in the tragic death of the man from Red Earth Cree Nation, as confirmed by EMS personnel at the scene. One officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.

The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the 25-year-old.