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Spiritwood comes together 10 years later to remember slain RCMP officers

Jul 3, 2016 | 4:15 PM

A community is coming together to remember its heroes. 

Spiritwood and surrounding reserves will unite on Tuesday, July 5 and Wednesday, July 6, to pay homage to two RCMP officers who lost their lives ten years ago.

Constable Robin Cameron and Constable Marc Bourdages were slain by a lone gunman, while on pursuit in a police cruiser near the town of Mildred, Saskatchewan in July 2006.

The twelve-day search for the perpetrator, Curtis Dagenais ended when he turned himself in. While he was on the loose, both constables lay in intensive care for days before passing away.

The events will include a walk in the town of Spiritwood to raise money for a memorial park, which will have a commemorative statue of both Cameron and Bourdages.

The Pelican Lake, Witchekan Lake, Big River First Nations and Agency Chiefs Tribal Council will hold a pipe ceremony as well as a grand entry, feast and a round dance, showing how close the two officers were to the surrounding reserves of their home province.

Speeches will also be given by some attending family members of the slain officers. 

 

Colleen A.J. Smith is battlefordsNOW’s education, First Nations and arts and culture reporter. She can be reached at: colleen.smith@jpbg.ca or tweet her @ColleenAJSmith. Concerns regarding this story can be addressed to News Director Geoff Smith at 306-446-6397.