A PUBLIC inquest has begun into a stabbing rampage in Canada that left 11 people dead and 17 injured in a Saskatchewan First Nation reserve on September 4 2022.

Myles Sanderson, who was accused of carrying out the attacks on the territory of the James Smith Cree Nation and in the village of Weldon, died in police custody a few days later.

On Monday, Saskatchewan chief coroner Clive Weighill said: “The objective is to have the story told, honour those victims that died on that day and try to come up with some recommendations that will help prevent this from happening again in the future.”

The Saskatchewan Coroners Service expects the inquest to last at least two weeks.

A six-person jury was finalised on Monday morning. Two other people, who will attend the inquest and listen to all of the evidence, were chosen as alternates. A jury can also make recommendations to prevent similar deaths.

A second inquest focusing on Mr Sanderson’s death is scheduled for next month. Public inquests are mandatory in Saskatchewan when a person dies in police custody.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have described how Mr Sanderson stole vehicles, broke down doors and went door to door stabbing people during the rampage.

Mr Weighill said: “There’s not going to be a trial, so this is the only way that the family and the public can hear exactly what happened.”

Family members of the victims gathered on Monday to smudge, a traditional practice believed to promote safety, wellbeing and healing, before the inquest began.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, extended sympathies to all affected.

Federation chief Bobby Cameron said: “Together, as a nation, we mourn with the people of James Smith Cree Nation.”

James Smith Cree Nation chief Wally Bruns said he hoped that the inquest would provide recommendations on self-administered policing for the First Nation.