Community ceremony, activities to mark 10-year anniversary of deadly school shooting in La Loche, Sask.
It's a time of remembrance and reflection, school principal says
For the first time in 10 years, La Loche’s Dene High School was open on the anniversary of the deadly school shooting that devastated the northern Saskatchewan community.
The Northern Lights School Division (NLSD) said this year a community ceremony would be held at the high school in the afternoon. In the past, the school has been closed on the anniversary of the shooting.
“Recognizing that this was a tragedy that occurred and we need to honour and remember those we’ve lost and we need to just make sure that we focus on our own mental health and wellness,” said Jason Young, the school division's director of education.
Four people died and seven others were injured on Jan. 22, 2016. The ceremony will commemorate the lives of teacher Adam Wood, 36, and teacher's assistant Marie Janvier, 21, who were shot at the high school, as well as brothers Dayne Fontaine, 17, and Drayden Fontaine, 13, who were killed in a La Loche home by the same gunman.
One of the people injured at the school, teacher Charlene Klyne, died suddenly in a Saskatoon hospital in 2023. Her family said her death was caused by complications from injuries she incurred in the shooting.
'A bright light in our lives'
Tanzy Janvier, a cousin of Marie Janvier, said although a decade has passed, it feels like the shooting happened just yesterday.
Tanzy described their cousin as a youth advocate and animal rescuer. They said losing Marie was "gut-wrenching" and "heartbreaking" for the family.
"Definitely a bright light in our lives, she really was," Tanzy told CBC's Saskatoon Morning on Thursday.
As each year passes, resiliency and finding a purpose has been fundamental in healing, they said.
"The hurt never goes away, but there is resiliency there," they said.
"There is wisdom that comes from tragedy, there's strength that comes from tragedy."
'Healing is not something we do alone'
A large screen in the school’s gymnasium showed dozens of photos in memory of the people affected by the 2016 shooting. Dozens of community members showed up to remember them.
“Ten years later, the grief has not disappeared," La Loche Mayor Lyle Herman said at the ceremony.
Herman said the community returns to the memories often, “not because we want to,” but because healing requires courage, honesty, and community.
“And La Loche has [shown] courage, La Loche has shown honesty and La Loche has shown community,” he said.
Herman acknowledged the community members who have shown unwavering dedication to healing. That includes victims, families, teachers and first responders.
“Today is not just about looking back, it’s also about looking forward,” Herman said.
He noted the community has implemented new mental health supports, programs and safe spaces.
‘Healing is not something we do alone,” he said.
“I remain committed to ensuring that our community receives the services we need, not just today, but every day moving forward.”
'Dene Strong'
Young said the school division and the principal of the high school worked remotely with Frank DeAngelis, the former principal of Columbine High School, to plan this year's event, and sought his guidance on how to move forward.
“After that phone call about what he did, I’m like, 'Wow, we can do this,'” Young said.
DeAngelis had a series of meetings with the group, helping them find balance in remembering those who passed, what happened and hope for the future as they move forward, Young said.
Those affected by the tragedy are “doing our best to move forward on that healing journey,” he said.
The day of remembrance started with mass at Our Lady of Visitation Church. Community members were invited to attend lunch and a ceremony at the high school, consisting of a moment of silence, a celebration of life presentation, speeches by leaders and dignitaries and a memento presentation.
The Village of La Loche also organized evening activities.
“We are taking the opportunity to remember those that were affected, but also reflect on what we have done, and how far we have come as a school,” Dene High School principal Donna Janvier said in a media release.
Next year, the school division plans to have the school open for regular classes on the day of the anniversary. Within the classes, students will participate in activities to give back to the community.
School division staff have violence threat risk assessment training and most teachers and staff have taken traumatic event training and other courses related to trauma recovery and trauma-informed practices, Young said.
He commended the staff and teachers who continued to work at the school after the tragedy, as well as the new employees who signed on after it happened.
“Many came into that eyes wide open and provided a service to us, to our students, and we’re very grateful for that,” he said.
Over the last 10 years, La Loche has implemented a long-term wellness strategy. The motto “Dene Strong” has been used to emphasize resilience and not letting a tragedy define the community.
Dene culture, language and outdoor land-based learning are part of the curriculum.
The school building has had extensive renovations, including the addition of a wellness room with counseling space. The community's new elementary school, called Nįtélazёtúë Elementary, opened last year.
Young said the school division plans to work with the community and other partners to develop a concept for a monument or commemorative park.
“Our intention is to reach out to the families that lost loved ones and get their feedback as well,” he said, adding that the design won’t be complete without their permission and inclusion.
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