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The death of a young mother in Turnor Lake is drawing renewed attention to domestic violence and gaps in support services in northern Saskatchewan communities.
RCMP said 21-year-old Shalayah Montgrand was found dead after officers were called to a home in Turnor Lake early morning last Friday, May 8.
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A 25-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter, three counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order and one count of unauthorized possession of a firearm. The allegations have not been tested in court.
During a press conference Monday, Birch Narrows Dene Nation Chief Jonathon Sylvestre said the community has raised concerns for years about addictions, mental health and public safety in the North.
“Our people are hurting, and so many are struggling to understand how something so tragic could happen here,” Sylvestre said.
The victim and the accused share a young child, and Sylvestre described her as a “very respectful, young lady.”
“She really cared about her son. She loved her son,” he said.
Between Birch Narrows First Nation and the Northern Hamlet of Turnor Lake, located just over one kilometre apart, the area is home to about 700 people.
Amber Stewart, executive director of Anchor and Thread Community Services, formerly known as the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre, said survivors in rural communities often experience “increased isolation, both geographically and socially.”
She said many people trying to leave abusive situations face long distances to shelters, limited transportation and unreliable access to services.
“Lots of times we see survivors that don’t have access to a vehicle, don’t have access to a cell phone,” Stewart said. “So how are they supposed to get to these services when they are such a great distance?”
Stewart said shelters across Saskatchewan are frequently full, forcing some women to leave their home communities entirely to find safe housing elsewhere.
“If you don’t have a safe place to leave your kids and you can’t take your kids with you, you’re not leaving,” she said.
She said privacy concerns in small communities can also discourage survivors from seeking help.
“They may personally know service providers, they may know law enforcement, it might even be family members of the person who’s causing them harm,” Stewart said.
Stewart said improving safety in rural communities requires better access to frontline services, housing and transportation.
“If people can’t access the service and support, then people can’t leave these situations,” she said.
Sylvestre later said there were periods when the community had “extremely limited police presence,” and the First Nation hired its own security force because of safety concerns.
He also said no one from the provincial government contacted the community following the homicide regarding previously requested resources, including community safety officers.
When asked how that made him feel, Sylvestre said he was “pretty angry” and “pretty upset.”
“We’ve been asking for this for many years, and we’re still not moving anywhere forward,” he said. “So it makes me feel really disturbed.”
“We need governments to stop making promises and start delivering real support on the ground,” he said.
Athabasca MLA and NDP northern affairs critic Leroy Laliberte said: “People in the north are tired of being forgotten and tired of being ignored.”
Stewart encouraged anyone experiencing domestic violence to reach out to someone they trust.
“Tell somebody. Tell someone safe,” Stewart said. “Don’t keep it a secret.”
The accused first appeared in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on Monday morning. His case was adjourned to June 1.
Province working on community safety
The province said Monday it is continuing to work with Birch Narrows Dene Nation to make its First Nation Community Safety Officer program operational.
In a statement sent to meadowlakeNOW, the government said this year’s provincial budget includes funding to expand the program to more First Nations, including Birch Narrows.
The province said community safety officers are appointed as special constables under The Police Act and can enforce provincial laws and respond to low-risk public safety calls.
The government also pointed to a record $673.7 million investment in mental health and addictions programs this year, including continued expansion of addictions treatment spaces across Saskatchewan.
“Our government is deeply saddened by the tragic event that took place in Turnor Lake and extends our heartfelt condolences to the community, and to the families, friends and loved ones of those affected during this incredibly difficult time.”
— with files from CKOM News
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