After a grisly murder on the Nation earlier this year, one of the victim's family members is kick-starting a memorial project to remember loved ones who were “suddenly, tragically and violently taken away from family and friends.
After a grisly murder on the Nation earlier this year, one of the victim's family members is kick-starting a memorial project to remember loved ones who were “suddenly, tragically and violently taken away from family and friends. ”
“A couple of weeks ago when I realized I was going through a grieving process, I wasn't even able to go to something where I could remember my brother - I remember him as a genuine person, ” said Tasina Pope, sister of Kori Wesley.
Wesley was murdered earlier this year. The Cochrane RCMP found the 21-year-old's body at the Chiniki Rodeo Grounds on Aug 7. The family had previously told the Eagle that the police told them Wesley was stabbed approximately 20 times.
Wesley's mother, Lori Wesley, had previously described her son as “funny ” with a “good sense of humour ” and “loving. ”
After the funeral, Pope said she realized there were not any official memorial sites on the reservation and wanted to set up something the whole community could use.
“So far we have over 20 (names), we might be getting more … some of the (names) are in similar circumstances such as people passing away violently and suddenly, ” Pope explained.
“I think it is positive in a sense that other Treaty Seven Nation (people) have put their family members into this projects. ”
Since announcing the memorial project, organizers have approached Spray Lake Sawmills staff who have committed to donating a bench.
“This is definitely a worthwhile cause, we have some pretty crafty people here and we can put something together, ” said Howard Pruden, HR and safety manager and community relations with Spray Lake Sawmills.
“I really commend her and her group and it's a great initiative and we are happy to be a part of it. ”
The plan for the Kori Wesley Memorial Benches is to have a row of benches located on the Morley reservation in front of the Band Office. Each bench will display the victim's name and date of birth and death.
The project is still pending approval from the three chief's from Bearspaw, Wesley and Chiniki - with organizers hoping to announce an installment date for 2017.
“It was a blessing that Spray Lake Sawmills (will be) donating a bench. For the dream to be possible, I was really humbled and honoured, ” Pope said.
“The project is reaching out far past the Stoney Nakoda Nation - it is pretty impressive how the support has been. ”
Organizers of the project are asking family members to submit names of victims of sudden, violent and tragic acts. For more information, email the Sacred Rocky Mountain Mini Thni Movement Association (SRMMTMA) at [email protected].
