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Soda Creek First Nation grieve loss of Jonathan Sellars

Chief Dixon calls for youth to be community leaders
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Williams Lake Const. Dewald Du Toit of the Forensic Identification Section gathers evidence at the scene of last week’s two suspicious deaths at the residence along Mackenzie. Angie Mindus photo

Soda Creek First Nation Chief Donna Dixon has confirmed one of the two men killed last week in a home on North Mackenzie Ave. was a member of Soda Creek First Nation.

“Once again, our community is in mourning with the senseless loss of Jonathan Sellars, a young man who was still searching for his life’s path,” Dixon said in a statement issued by the Soda Creek First Nation Chief and Council last Friday. “We have received, and are extremely grateful for, the tremendous amount of support from all of our surrounding communities.”

Chief and Council said they send out condolences to, and grieve with, the families of Sellars, 30, and Devon Stewart, 26.

“This great loss impacts many people from many communities. Jonathan Sellars, a member of Soda Creek First Nation, had many relatives from all over the Secwepemc, Carrier and Chilcotin territories.”

Dixon said Sellars travelled around the province, purposely staying away from Williams Lake to better his life, visiting relatives and always keeping in touch with his family.

”Family was very important to him and he adored his nieces and nephews. It seems to be the assumption that because Jonathan is a First Nations man, that he must have been doing something wrong. We ask for this insensitivity to stop,” Dixon said. “Now is the time for our youth and young adults to challenge themselves to become leaders in our community. The Soda Creek First Nation will be reaching out to our surrounding neighbors, so that together we may build stronger, healthier communities.”

Sellars and Stewart were found dead in a home located at 1172 Mackenzie Ave. Tuesday, April 18 after police were called to the residence shortly after 8:30 p.m.



Angie Mindus

About the Author: Angie Mindus

A desire to travel led me to a full-time photographer position at the Williams Lake Tribune in B.C.’s interior.
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