Holding children tight and keeping them safe in Sagamok
By Leslie Knibbs
SAGAMOK ANISHNAWBEK – Sagamok’s fire chief gave good cause for locking schools down during the traumatic shooting that took place a week ago.
While speaking at a community forum held at the Millenium Center on Friday, Fire Chief Bruce Southwind asked those in attendance, “What do we do if our children are at risk? We hold them tight, and that is what we did.”
In addressing the recent shooting incident, Southwind told community members that his crew escorted children safely home after the school lockdown was lifted. The escort included walking each child from the school bus to the door of their home.
The 911 call to police reporting a shooting at Sagamok Anishnawbek on Feb. 16 resulted in one individual being arrested around midnight on Tuesday, after a 15 hour manhunt.
Two people are now facing attempted murder charges. A 32 year old man, charged with attempted murder, remains in custody with a bail hearing scheduled for February 25. A 20 year old co-accused was freed on bail with restrictions on February 19 and is under house arrest at this time. The shooting victim remains in hospital at Health Sciences North in Sudbury and is listed in critical condition.
It has been a dark time at this First Nation with community members visibly shaken up. Sagamok is a community of about 1,600 people and like other real world First Nation’s, it has had its share of problems. Drug related issues and alcohol abuse affect the community as court dockets in Espanola and Sudbury will bear out.
In the aftermath of the shooting, this small First Nation was quick offering support to citizens whom are all affected by the incident. Sharing circles were held on February 17 and 18, twice daily, to help community members deal with the crisis.
At the forum, it was learned how authorities handled the community wide lock down during the manhunt and subsequent arrest of the suspect. Sagamok Chief Paul Eshkakogan said on the day after the incident that the community was still reeling and trying to come to terms with the violence.
The forum was well attended with scores of community members who came looking for answers and offering input to help solve social problems in Sagamok.
A visibly saddened but resolute Chief Eshkakogan held his eagle’s feather and looked around the large room at his people. “I tried to draft a speech, but couldn’t get it going, I want to speak from the heart.”
Chief Eshkakogan emphasized his main concern throughout the crisis was the children and keeping them safe during this difficult time. All the Sagamok children at school, daycare and Espanola High were kept in school until things were safe at which time first responders accompanied the children on buses and to their doors getting them all home safely and securely.
The Chief acknowledged to those attending, “We have things to fix, and we’ll fix it. We know drugs flow in (to Sagamok) and we know where they go. I need your help. The police need your help.”
One of the elders suggested starting up a group similar to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) would be a good idea. She said she is a mom, a grandmother and a great grandmother wanting to start a group called Parents Against Illegal Drugs (PAID). She told the gathering that she herself had been sober for 30 years. Another elder told everyone “We’ve had some black eyes here. It’s time for some humility.”
Community Justice Coordinator Chris Weatherly said efforts are being made to make policing culturally sensitive. Chief Eshkakogan made a commitment to keep the discussion going with the community as the issues are tackled. “This weekend, take a rest, be with your famiy. You have given me strength, much more than when I walked in here.”