As vigils and moments of remembrance take place across the country in honour of the Humboldt Broncos, Indigenous people are expressing their grief as well
The harrowing bus crash claimed the lives of 15 people on Friday night, including many players, the head coach and a young broadcaster.
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, many Indigenous communities and organizations took to social media to offer their deepest condolences to the many lives affected by this tragedy.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations tweeted prayers to those suffering from this tragedy.
The File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council echoed these sentiments with a tweet that simply read “You are all in our thoughts.”
The impact of the tragedy also sent shockwaves through the Senator’s Cup Indigenous hockey tournament in Prince Albert this past weekend.
Before the tournament got underway, the entire arena stood in silence. According to some social media accounts, Prince Albert Grand Council chiefs and elders then offered their condolences and a prayer in Cree.
Throughout the tournament, teams paid tribute to the Broncos.
The Red Pheasant Rebels went on to defeat the Norway House Bruins in the final. After the matchup, players from both teams kneeled around a display honouring the memories of those whose lives were lost.
The moments of condolences continued this morning, when Muskoday First Nation lowered its flags in solidarity with the Humboldt Broncos.
The First Nation also released a statement, calling for prayers for the many people impacted.
(PHOTO: The Senator’s Cup hockey tournament took many moments to grieve the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash. Photo courtesy of @bhopkins71, Twitter.)