The news from Mistissini, Quebec has been difficult to hear and read, especially for family and friends living a distance away. Archdeacon Anne Germond issued the following invitation today:
We would like to invite you to join us for a
Memorial service at the
Church of the Ascension, Sudbury on Wednesday 8 April 2015 at 7:00 p.m. for the victims and families of the Lodge fire near Mistissini, Quebec last week – and for the community. There are Sudbury connections and some family members will not be travelling north for the funeral. For more information regarding the Memorial Service, click on
MEMORIAL FOR MISTISSINI which contains details of the service.
The Rev. George Westgate, the Anglican priest in Mistissini, has also written the following:
This week has been a difficult week for our community of Mistissini. Please uphold in your prayers and support for the families who lost loved ones in the recent tragedy in our community of Mistissini. Keep the families of . . . .Charlie Gunner, Kevin Loon, David Jimmykin, Emmett Coonishish, and Chiwettin Coonishish.
Wednesday afternoon the plane brought the first piece of information and the grief hit the families as though someone had punched them in the stomach and they could not breathe. Five young hunters went moose hunting and they failed to return. The plane went out to see if they needed help. They found there were no tracks heading across the lake. All five skidoos were accounted for. The cabin was burned to the ground. The youngest was 22 years old the oldest was thirty eight years old.
Thursday visited the families who were trying to make sense of this. The grief was heavy – you could cut through it with a knife. Later that afternoon at the Band Office we gathered with the families where we heard the worst possible news to hit our small community. It was confirmed they found the remains of all five hunters inside the cabin.
This weekend, community services were held at the complex for the five families and for the community of Mistissini. The out-pouring of support was overwhelming and the community rallied together to uphold and support one another. There will be a community prayer service this evening as well.
Please keep the community of Mistissini and these five families . . . Charlie Gunner, Kevin Loon, David Jimmykin, Emmett Coonishish, and Chiwettin Coonishish in your prayers.
Blessings and Happy Easter.
Rev. George <><