Ashley Messier builds hockey legacy with sights on PWHL, Olympics
9h ago
Mark Messier is her distant cousin, but this Sask. hockey product is carving her own path.
A successful GoFundMe page that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the victims and victims’ families of the stabbing rampage in Weldon and James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) is now being followed by a warning to the public.
JSCN issued a news release urging the public to be cautious about contributing to any new crowdfunding campaigns that pop up.
As of Wednesday morning, the current page started by retired RCMP officer and former Member of Parliament Rob Clarke had blown past its $100,000 goal and will soon close, according to the release.
“The leadership of James Smith Cree Nation is grateful to all the donors who have contributed funds to support its affected members,” the JSCN said in its statement.
“Please help us spread the word that any other crowdfunding campaigns have not been endorsed by JSCN.”
JSCN said it would be releasing details soon on a trust fund for victims.
Clarke said he started the GoFundMe when he couldn’t find a place to make a donation himself.
“I can just feel the pain from everyone on the reserve,” Clarke said. “Something had to be done to really filter out the fakes or phonies in trying to capitalize on this.”
Clarke recalls how the stabbings caused old emotions from his policing days to come rushing back.
“I’ve been through shootings and other traumatic events and my heart goes out to them,” said Clarke, reflecting on the RCMP shootings in 2006 when he was commanding the Spiritwood detachment.
“I’m upset, angry and this is about the only way I can help now. One way people are grieving, in some small way, is just (giving) monetary amounts of $5 and $10.”
— With files from 980 CJME’s Shane Clausing