(file photo)

By Susan McNeil

Charges upgraded

Charges against Shoal Lake woman upgraded to second degree murder

May 30, 2025 | 1:08 PM

Charges against a woman accused of killing a child in the community of Shoal Lake, east of Carrot River, have been upgraded from manslaughter to second-degree murder.

The RCMP announced Friday that after more investigation and after talking to Public Prosecutions, the manslaughter charge against Karrena Young will be withdrawn at her next court appearance on June 26, where she will appear by video.

Young was arrested after RCMP officers were called to a home on the Cree Nation about 100 kilometres east of Nipawin at around 7 p.m. on May 23 after getting a report that “a child under the age of 10 had been seriously injured.”

Responders attempted to revive the eight year old child but were not successful.

The Shoal Lake Cree Nation (SLCN) issued a statement that the community is devastated by the loss.

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“Our community is feeling this great loss because our young people represent hope, light, and the future itself. They are often the center of our communities which feel this loss acutely because young people represent hope, energy, and love. They are often at the center of multiple social networks – schools, sports teams, friend groups, families, and neighborhoods,” said SLCN Chief Marcel Head.

“Their absence creates a void that extends through all these interconnected circles. Teachers lose a student they were watching grow and learn. Classmates lose a peer who shared their daily experiences. The entire fabric of our community life is altered when these vital threads are suddenly cut.”

In the same statement, both Shoal Lake and FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said that part of the problem is a lack of access to mental health resources in the remote community.

The Chiefs said that 24/7 crisis intervention services are needed, and they should be staffed by culturally trained mental health professionals who are available immediately when needed.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social