A way to remember a friend

Page 6

Just a little more than three months ago, Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation gathered for a memorial service at Our Lady of the Lake Church to honor the lives of four slain Mounties. And, just recently, the Alexis school has recognized the profound affect that one of the slain officers had on the community.

The school named their athletic field the Constable Leo Johnston field at a track meet on May 26.

Wolf Kolb, principal at Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation School, said it was a beautiful day to have this tribute in honor of Johnston.

The reaction from the student body, parents and community members was incredibly profound.

"Everyone was cheering and applauding. They were quite delighted to hear it," said Kolb, who was impressed with the sportsmanship that was displayed on the track that day.

Kolb was pleased with how the day turned out and so was one of the Elders who attended the ceremony. Kolb brought one of the Elders a cup of tea and she looked at him and said in the Stoney language, "You have made me very happy today."

"I think she was happy because I brought her the tea, but mostly because we were honoring Const. Johnston."

March 3 is a day that will always stay imprinted in the minds of Canadians as the day that four RCMP were killed while attending a farm to recover a stolen vehicle.

Johnston, along with constables Anthony Gordon, Brock Myrol and Peter Schiemann, were shot to death by James Roszko during a stakeout on his farm near Mayerthorpe.

Kolb remembers seeing Johnston and Myrol on his way home from work about a week before they passed away.

"I remember saying hello to Johnston and he introduced me to Brock," said Kolb. "It's times like that where I wish I could've taken more time with him," said Kolb.

Johnston, a Metis from Owl River near Lac La Biche, was known for his deep concern and dedication for the community. Kolb will always remember Johnston as a man who was concerned with overcoming the social problems that lie at the heart of much of the crime in the Alexis community.

"Johnston often spoke to me about his concern for the community; he was deeply concerned about the animosity in the community and how it affected his work," said Kolb.

Johnston was an athletic person who was very much into sports and so Kolb thought of no better way to honor Johnston than to attach his name to something that will be utilized for years to come.

Johnston was a school liaison for several years. He worked with the school in terms of building relationships with the RCMP; he helped the school out with some of their weekly ceremonies.

"We were greatly affected by his loss and so we wanted to honor his memory in a way that will always be remembered," said Kolb.