REGINA — The chief of a southern Saskatchewan First Nation where four people were found dead Tuesday says security is in full force and its community hall is open for people to visit, pray and smudge.
Chief Scott Eashappie of Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation could not be reached Wednesday but said on social media there will be a four-day healing fire on the reserve to honour the dead.
"I want to send a special thanks to all those that have come to sit with us last night, prayed for us, the calls (and) messages," Eashappie wrote.
"To my other family nations, we appreciate all the reach-outs, support and most importantly, the love we have felt in the last 24 hours."
Police found the bodies of the four in a home on the First Nation east of Regina.
RCMP had said the deaths were suspicious but provided few other details.
Mounties later said they received reports of a man pointing a gun at people at Zagime Anishinabek, formerly known as the Sakimay First Nation, about 95 kilometres away from Carry the Kettle.
Officers had said they couldn't confirm if the cases were related, but they were searching for Keagan Panipekeesick, a suspect in the Zagime matter. Early Wednesday, they said the 29-year-old had been arrested in Regina, but there was no word on charges.
RCMP had scheduled a news conference for Wednesday afternoon in Regina.
In another social media post, Chief Lynn Acoose of Zagime said members of her First Nation were sending condolences to those at Carry the Kettle.
"We hope that justice prevails for the people who lost their lives to this senseless violence," she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2025.
Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press
