FIRST NATION MOURNS THREE ‘BEST BROS’

Keithan Lobster Mateo Moore-Spence Cree Nation, which includes Nelson House.

Moody said that when he told his grandson that his friends had died, the nineyear-old broke into tears and said, “I lost my best bros.”

Todd Norman Linklater, 27, is facing numerous charges, including impaired driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene of an accident.

There is no way to make sense of such a horrible tragedy that has touched everyone, Moody said.

In a community of about 2,500 residents, many people know both the kids and the accused.

“We have mixed emotions — anger, confusion, frustration,” Lobster said.

“I knew the (accused) guy quite well. I got along with the guy. All in all, he’s actually a good guy but when I heard he was (allegedly) drinking Terrence Spence and driving, it angered me.”

A woman who lives near the crash site also knew the boys and ran out to help Saturday night.

“It was a very traumatic situation as these children are my son’s friends,” said Roslyn Moore.

“In those moments, all I could think about was reaching the kids and doing what I could to help, including halting traffic. I was hampered because of poor cell service in that area as well as by the lack of lighting.”

Classes were cancelled at the community’s schools on Monday morning as teachers came to terms with losing three students and prepared to connect others with grief counsellors in the afternoon. Staff from Otetiskewin Kiskinwamahtowekamik School, which has around 530 students, held a sharing circle.

“It’s a very close-knit school,” said principal Matilda Gibb. “There is a lot of shock and disbelief.”

Students began streaming into the school just after noon, where there was an opportunity to speak with counsellors from local organizations and the Red Cross.

Gibb said it’s very important people come together to support each other.

A vigil was planned for Monday night at the spot