La Loche shooting remembered at Van Tech ceremony

The LaLocheshootings in Saskatchewan haveprompted First Nations leaders in B.C. to renew calls for more services for aboriginal youth in remote communities.

The victims of the shootings were honoured by students at Vancouver Technical Secondary School on Monday, as they observed a moment of silence.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the LaLocheand Clearwater RiverDeneNation communities, families and victims," said Robin Roberts, an aboriginal education enhancement worker at the school.

The moment of remembrance took place during the school's Indigenous Awareness Week. The week had been planned for months, but the shootingson Friday gave it a timely significance.

The celebration atVan Tech is designed to focus on achievements and successes.

"The hardships that happened in Saskatchewan, that's part of the history as well, but at the same time we're also still a very strong people," said Roberts.

Support for aboriginal students in Vancouver

Don Fiddler, principal for aboriginal education, said it's important to remember that the tragic events in La Loche don't define First Nations people.

"The nature of what happened in Saskatchewan is an aberrant event. It's not representative of what happens in aboriginal culture."

Fiddler said the Vancouver school district'sapproximately 2,100 aboriginal students83 of them at Van Tech are well-served by staff.

"We have 40 staff that work within our district," said Fiddler."We have a cultural coordinator,we have a knowledge keeper as well as a consultant, and all of these people work together in the schools."

'Best intentions always go astray'

But First Nations leaders say culturally-appropriate programs and servicesdon't exist for many isolated, rural community youth.

"The governments have tried to decide for us what is best, and, you know, the best intentions always go astray. Theydon'tmeet our people'sneeds," said Chief BobChamberlin, vice-president of theUnion of B.C. Indian Chiefs.

"We need to invest in an ongoing daily intake for treatment centres for First Nations and for Canadians in general, so when someone has that motivation to heal, to change and recover from the traumas, that the services are there," addedChamberlin.

Chamberlinsaid B.C. isn't immune to tragic events in remote aboriginal communities last fall,a small community nearLillooetwas reeling after a young man attacked almost a dozen people with a hammer in the Bridge River band office.

A suspect died at the sceneand11 men and women were injured.