Stoney Bushie's friends, family gather for Winnipeg prayer service

Days after the arrest of John Paul Ostamas, families of the men he allegedly murderedare planningfunerals and memorials to remember their loved ones.

StoneyBushie's family says he was a happy guy who wouldn't hurt anyone. Hisbodywas found April 25in an alleybehindthe Portage Avenueheadquarters of the Aboriginal PeoplesTelevision Network (APTN).

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His niece Amanda Martin will be singing at his funeral, something she says Bushie always encouraged her to do. She says dealing with his deathishard, butshe's trying to keepa positive outlook.

"We're going to heal,we just think about the good times," Martin said.

She says the familyhad a lot of good times in Bushie'shome community,Little Grand Rapids.

"He liked hunting and fishing,and liked to joke around with friends and family. He was happy most of the time," she said.

Henry Neufeld and his wife got to know members of theBushie family duringtheir time spent teaching in Little Grand Rapids starting in the 1950s.

"His parents were very committed to the faith, to the lordand they tried their utmost to walk that way and live a life of faith," said Henry."I was often in their home and prayed with them ...he (Stoney) would have a been a little kid."

Martin says Bushie would stay at Siloam Mission whenhe visited Winnipeg, but he wasn't homeless.

"Some of his friends asked if he wanted to go stay at their places, but I think he liked being with the friends he had at Siloam Mission," she said.

Ron Monias is arranging a birthday celebration and candlelight vigil for his son, who died a day before his birthday.

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Miles Moniaswas found beaten in a Main Streetbus shelteron April 10. He died from hisinjuries while in thehospital.

Roncame to Winnipeg from Garden Hill First Nation to honour his son. He says he hashas receiveda lot of support from the community.

"They say words of encouragement for me to keep going, and notto suddenly give up, like I felt when he died.I felt like my whole world was gone," he said.

Ron says he spent time with Milesthe day before he died.Miles hadtold Ronhe was going to be OK.

"And he told me 'I love you dad,'and I saw him leave. And I said 'I love you my son.'We've always said that growing up. So,love your sons and daughters," he said.

Prayers were said forBushie at a gathering in Winnipeg Thursday at 7 p.m.at the Aboriginal Funeral Chapel.

Neufeld, who goes back to Little Grand Rapids often to visit,recited a psalm at the service for the family to try and help them move on.

"This is also a storm in their lives and I trust that this message might help them cope with their situation," saidNeufeld.

Monias'candlelight vigil will be held Friday at 2 p.m.at the bus shelterat Main and Pioneer.