Queen Elizabeth’s Last Official Statement Was to the James Smith Cree Nation Expressing Her Condolences for Stabbing Attacks

Queen Elizabeth II, the monarch who served the United Kingdom for more than seven decades, passed away on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, her summer residence. Her death came two days after she swore in Prime Minister Liz Truss in what was her last official appearance. She was 96. 

Throughout her long reign, she maintained a relationship with the Indigenous people of Canada, a British commonwealth. 

Her final statement before her death was addressed to the James Smith Cree Nation. The statement, released on Wednesday, expressed her condolences to First Nation citizens impacted by the horrific stabbings that occurred in the early morning hours on Sunday on the James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon, Saskatchewan. The violent stabbing spree left 10 dead and another 19 injured. One of the suspects died on Wednesday while in law enforcement custody.

“I would like to extend my condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the attacks that occurred this past weekend in Saskatchewan,” the Queen said in her final statement on Wednesday. “My thoughts and prayers are with those recovering from injuries, and grieving such horrific losses. I mourn with all Canadians at this tragic time.”

The First Nation acknowledged the Queen’s message during a press conference held on Thursday that began around the time death was announced at Buckingham Palace in London.

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