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Anchor: Antonia Gonzales
UPDATE: The second suspect Myles Sanderson died from “medical distress” after he was taken into police custody.
Meanwhile, as Dan Karpenchuk reports, the James Smith Cree Nation is still in shock and grieving after 10 people were killed and 18 wounded.
In the James Smith Cree Nation, 120 miles northeast of Saskatoon, relatives of the victims are grieving, many of them for Gloria Burns, a respected elder, and a first responder, who was killed when she took the call for help.
Here are reactions from some community members.
“My sister was a very caring woman. She had time for everyone and tried her best to care for everyone.” “This tragedy that happened on our land is because of drugs and alcohol.”
Police have still not been able to provide details about the motive for the attacks. They say some of the victims appear to have been targeted, while others were selected at random.
Myles Sanderson has a lengthy criminal record. And according to a parole board document, he has a history of violent offenses, including assault. He now faces three counts of first degree murder, as well as attempted murder.
Meanwhile three of the victims remain in hospital in critical condition.
Apache Stronghold (Photo: Facebook)
Members of the Apache Stronghold, a coalition of Apache people, other Native people, and non-Native allies, held a day of prayer Tuesday in San Francisco as they continue their fight to protect a scared site from a proposed copper mine.
They’re seeking a rehearing in their case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco against the U.S. to protect Oak Flat in Arizona from Resolution Copper.
Oak Flat is located within national forest land east of Phoenix, is a part of a land swap approved by congress in 2014 between the federal government and the company.
In June, the court ruled 2-1 in favor of the government’s decision to transfer Oak Flat to the company finding it does not burden the religious practices of Apache people.
Members of the Apache Stronghold say the sacred land is now on the chopping block and if mined, Oak Flat will be swallowed in a massive crater, ending their religious and traditional practices in the area forever.
The case is being considered for a rehearing in front of a full 11-judge court instead of the three-judge panel.
The Apache Stronghold is hoping this is a second chance to win the case before it goes before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Native POP recently showcased Indigenous music in downtown Rapid City.
South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s C.J. Keene has more.
Labor Day weekend brought Rapid City its first PopFest at Main Street Square. It was a full day of music across genres.
Lafawn Janis is the executive director for Native POP. She says there’s a value for providing performance stages to Native musicians.
“The lyrics are amazing, and it’s relevant to our lives. We brought in artists from around the country and had local artists as well. We all experience a lot of the same social issues. It was really cool to see, and it’s good for our youth to be able to see this.”
For Janis, she says there’s an emotional connection to the show.
“It just makes me smile from the inside out, I know that sounds cheesy, but it really does. It’s an honor to be able to create it and bring it for everyone here.”
One of the performers was Welby June. He describes his sound as soul music, and says engaging with art builds connections.
“It’s great to have this platform to help the local community see the different facets of native folk. That’s incredibly helpful in building community relations in Rapid City and around the area.”
Janis says Native POP hopes to make more musical events possible in the future.
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