Community Members Discuss Fatal Shooting Of Youth

Community Members Discuss Fatal Shooting Of Youth

Friday, August 03, 2007 at 15:04

 

 

Community members in La Ronge came together in a healing circle today to try to move forward from a recent shooting death involving youths.

 

Today’s “community information and support session” was hosted by the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.

 

Elders, band officials, RCMP officers and officials in the youth corrections, health and education fields joined friends and family of the late Johnny Abel Venne in the hopes of addressing issues stemming from his death.

 

Four boys from the Big Stone reserve aged 13 to 15 have been charged in connection to the murder of the 15-year-old victim, who was remembered today as a friendly and energetic child.

 

Venne’s body was found floating in the Montreal River last month.

 

The suspects all face charges of second-degree murder and interfering with human remains.

 

Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said the band is offering support to those affected by this incident in any way it can.

 

Elder Catherine Charles told those assembled the community needs to come together to do whatever is possible to help the youth that are suffering.

 

Another elder said the youth need guidance and a stable environment so that they are not out late at night getting into trouble.

 

He stated the youth need to reconnect with their traditional roots and culture, and revive the ways of the past through teachings and healing lodges.