02/14/2026
Mary’s Musings …. for the week of February 15, 2026
This has been a week of raw emotion for me, and I expect, for many of you. The news of the school shooting in Tumbler Ridge BC has affected me deeply. The pain and the grief are real. As is the sense of helplessness as I wonder what it is that I am able to do. How do I offer support? How do I connect with others who mourn, who are shocked and perhaps, who are angry?
As people of faith, the one thing that we can do is to pray. To pray deeply for those most affected by this tragic event. To pray for the families, for the staff at the school, for the first responders, for the RCMP, and for those on the sidelines who have also been deeply affected.
The other thing that we can do, I believe, is to focus on truth and to speak out against the rumours and accusations which began almost as soon as the events were known.
We, in this province, most clearly understand what happens when stories are reshaped and truths are hidden in the shadows.
This weekend, we celebrate Louis Riel Day – a day to recognize the man who had a great deal of influence over the formation of the province of Manitoba. Many claim Riel as the first premier of Manitoba. History has often labelled Riel as a traitor, one who was hung for his actions against the country.
While the stories about Riel are many, we now know that the actions of those who labelled him a traitor were largely about self-interest and promoting a particular point of view.
And this brings me back to the events of this past week. When it was revealed that the shooter was a transgendered person, the backlash began very quickly. We all called to be part of the cry” “STOP THE HATE”.
It's ironic. According to Stats Canada, over 90% of violent crimes are caused by cis males. Under 2% are connected to folks part of the LGBTQ+ communities. Of the over 400 mass shootings in the US last year, the majority committed by a very specific demographic, white male youth. And no one bats an eye but as soon as they think something horrible is done by a member of a marginalized community or minority and they are all over it trying to paint that entire community as dangerous.
Whoever did this, was an individual, obviously a very disturbed individual, suggesting their actions are reflective of their entire community is like saying all priests are child molesters or all men are rapists.
Just stop the hate all ready.
There are families, friends and an entire community in shock and in mourning and the last thing they need is more anger, hate and fuel on a fire of pain. What we do need, is to come together, not pull apart. We need to support one another. We need to understand that the power of love is stronger than the power of hate.
On Friday evening, the country did gather together. Our political leaders stood together, joining hands in solidarity at an organized vigil in Tumbler Ridge. The shared grief. The shared tears. The shared hope for peace. The prayers for the victims of this horrific act.
And so, we too, offer our prayers for the entire community and extended families of Tumbler Ridge. And we particularly remember the victims:
Kylie Smith, 12 years
Ticaria Lampert, 12 years
Zoey Benoit, 12 years
Abel Mwansa Jr., 12, years
Ezekiel Schofield, 13 years
Shannda Aviugana-Durand, 39 years
Jennifer Strang, 39 years
Emmett Jacobs, 11 years
May love abound, may grace surround the Tumbler Ridge community and each one of us!
