Over two dozen family members and supporters walked from the One Arrow youth centre where Monique Gamble worked to the house where she lived with her mother. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwel

Healing journey

One Arrow community gathers to denounce domestic violence

Jun 30, 2025 | 1:28 PM

Speaking to dozens of people gathered inside of a local gym, Tricia Sutherland encouraged them to start living, because that’s what Monique would want.

Sunday’s memorial-walk at One Arrow First Nation near Batoche, came six days after a sentencing hearing at Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert, where the man responsible for the death of 24-year-old Monique Gamble, Harry Paul, received an eight-year sentence.

The two had been involved in an on again off again relationship and Monique kept her personal problems a secret. On Nov. 29, 2022, her lifeless body was found by her mother at the house where Paul lived.

The idea for the walk came from Monique’s mother Karen Daniels.

“I want to help people that are in this kind of relationship,” she said.

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Carmen Cameron is Monique’s aunt and said while one chapter is closing, another is beginning for the family; the walk represents the continuation of a healing journey. She recalled Monique’s kindness and feels her niece would have wanted to help other people.

“She always was willing to help people. You didn’t have to ask her,” she said. “She’ll always be remembered as like being really friendly, happy. She cared about people.”

Karen Daniels receives a hug from an Elder. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The 2024 Domestic Violence Death Review Report for Saskatchewan was released last January and revealed rates of domestic violence related homicide in rural areas were more than double the rates in urban areas.

The majority of domestic homicide victims were female (83 per cent) and most perpetrators were male (82 per cent). Most victims were murdered by current intimate partners. Indigenous peoples were overrepresented as victims.

Among the report’s recommendations were increased education and awareness; services in rural and northern areas, and infrastructure development.

Cameron was asked what she thought could be done to help prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. She encouraged people in domestic abuse situations to not be afraid to speak up and to leave.

“It’s okay to walk away. It’s okay to be alone. A lot of them don’t because they’re afraid of being alone. They are partners with children and try to keep it together and then this kind of thing happens.”

Cameron also encouraged police to watch for trends.

“Maybe we need to intervene a little bit more and we need to get these people some help before it turns bad and wrecks families.”

Former Chief Tricia Sutherland, and one of Karen’s closest friends, was among the speakers. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Tricia Sutherland is one of Karen’s closest friends and noted Monique, who worked at the youth center, even quit the job she loved because of the emotional abuse she was receiving at home. It was also the reason she dropped out of school.

“I think as communities, as, especially moms and grandmas, Kokums and support people, we need to let our young ones know that jealousy, stalking is not someone that cares for you. It’s a control tactic right and that’s not healthy,” she said.

Going forward Sutherland said would like to see more programming offered in the community and noted there used to be traditional ceremonies for rights of passages for young men and young women and their roles in the community.

“I think we lost that big time in our community. We need to go back to our traditional ways and you know our people were always community oriented. We always work together for the betterment of the whole community.”

Crystal Sutherland is another friend of Karen’s and worked with Monique at the youth centre. She acknowledged the difficult and emotional court process and while happy to see it resolved, does not believe Paul should have received credit for each day spent in pre-sentence custody.

“I’ll just say it’s a slap on the wrist,” she said. “Yeah, I would like to see in-custody credit rid of because eight years would have been great, right … a straight eight years.”

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The walkers leave red hand prints on the house where Karen and Monique lived. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Going forward she too believes Monique can be a beacon for domestic violence.

“To me domestic violence is old school but in a lot of communities, it’s not. It’s sad because it’s basically handed down from generation to generation and the young people don’t see there’s help there, there’s resources, and basically keep it behind closed doors and I think that’s what happened with Monique.”

Arlene Matchap, was one of two band councilors in attendance and while offering her support for the family, confirmed the community will do more programming and continue to do the walks to raise awareness.

Members of the Wakaw RCMP detachment also attended and while offering their support for the community, also encouraged families dealing with domestic violence to never shy away from reaching out for help.

Sunday’s walk ended at the house where Monique lived and red handprints were marked on the exterior walls, symbolizing support for the family.

If someone you know may be at risk of interpersonal violence and abuse you can find a complete directory of resources to help online at sk.211.ca/abuse.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social