Opaskwayak Cree Nation gathers to mourn deaths of 3 killed in crash

Members of OpaskwayakCree Nationgatheredat the site of afatal crash on Sunday evening to honour three people who died when theirvehicle smashed into a buildingon Saturday.

Kyla Fontaine-Young,Mike VaillancourtandSean McGinnis all believed to be in their late teens orearly 20saredead following the collision.OpaskwayakCree Nation Chief Michael Constant said his community is heartbroken.

"Everybody's going to need some counselling, healing and understanding of what has transpired this weekend," he said.

"As we speak they're gathering [at] a powwow grounds. The community's meeting and having a healing circle with the young people, elders, councillors, parents."

According to Constant, young people and the victims' families are the focus in the community following the crash, but he offered a word of advice to anyone trying to cope in the aftermath of the tragedy.

"Look after one another. Be mindful of how the Creator loves each and every one of us. Be careful with your journey here on earth, and seek help if this tragic accident has affected you in any way. We're here for you," he said.

"Life is short. Life is sweet and life is precious."

The crash

Around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, Manitoba RCMPresponded to reports of a vehicle on fire in Opaskwayak Cree Nation,northwest of The Pas.

Upon arriving, officers found a female who had been in the crashstanding outside of the vehicle, whichwas on fire.RCMPpronounced three people who were inside the vehicle Fontaine-Young,VaillancourtandMcGinnis dead at the scene.

According to Constant, the person outside the vehicle is in "serious condition."

Investigators say they believe the vehicle drove off the road and smashed into theconcrete barrier before going up in flames.

"They had collided into the public works building," Constant said.

"It's very high-traffic there. It's right in the smack of the middle of the community on the main road."

Fontaine-Young

Fontaine-Youngwas a young hockey player in the community with a number of friends, according to Constant.

"She had a very good core of young friends," he said.

"Her passion for sports was just tremendous Hockey, too.She was well-connected to sports and [had]very good ties to the community."

Constant describes the young woman as someone who was active and garneredrespect from her peers.

"She was a beautiful, free andwild spirit," said Fontaine-Young'scousin, Gabrielle Young.

"There was absolutely nothing you could say you would've changed about her."

Another cousin,BraydenYoung, described Fontaine-Youngas someone who will not be forgotten.

"Kyla was an amazing person. She always had everyone laughing, whoever she was around.She is adored by so many people, it's crazy," he said.

"Everyone knew her andshe had a lot going for herself."

Vallaincourt andMcGinnis

Both Vallaincourt andMcGinnis fostered good relationships in their community, according to Constant.

"A lot of young people these days are talented and [they] were no different from anybody elsethat they were gifted in so many ways," he said.

Brayden Young was also friends with McGinnis, and said the two connected immediately upon meeting.

"We just clicked andbecame instant friends,telling each other our dreams: [He'd] be a DJ andI'd open up for [his] concerts as a rapper," he said.

Sadness over the deaths resonates in The Pas, Opaskwayak Cree Nation's neighbouring community,too.

"You're just stunned," said Mayor Jim Scott, who knew one of the victims through theirfamily member.

"It's just so painful. Three. Three people just brand new in their lives are gone. Another in serious condition. How does this happen?"

Everyone in the community knew Fontaine-Young,VallaincourtandMcGinnis, Scott said.

"When you live in a small community, you learn to get along with everybody," he said.

"By all accounts these young people were really good, young, tight friends."

On Sunday night, Scott said his community is gathering strength on behalf of the families and those who were close with the victims.

"How can your heart not hurt over something like this?" he asked.

"We'll be strong. We'll be there. We'll do everything we can to help them through this unbelievable period."

RCMP say alcohol and speed are being investigated as contributing factors to the crash.