Search team finds Sitansisk member’s body
Body of St. Mary’s member John Paul Jr. recovered in weekend Maquapit Lake operation
Members of the Sitansisk (St. Mary’s) First Nation are in grief after finding the body of one of their own lost at a capital-region lake over the weekend.
The Indigenous community on Fredericton’s north side issued a news release Sunday about a search of band member John Paul Jr. at Maquapit Lake, located about 45 kilometres east of Fredericton.
“Sitansisk Emergency Measures Operations team was notified midday Friday by provincial and federal partners of a distressed call from Paul’s family and friends. Following the report to emergency services, search and rescue crews began operations [Saturday],” it said.
“The Search and Rescue operations have since transitioned to be focused on recovery.”
The First Nation reported members of the community are working with the RCMP and a certified dive team to find Paul.
Shortly after sending out the news release, Sitansisk spokesperson David Bardwell followed up shortly after 4 p.m. to report the search was over..
“John's body has been found, and they are recovering him while waiting for the coroner to arrive,” he wrote in an email.
Though the situation resolved differently than everyone hoped, Sitansisk Chief Allan Polchies Jr. said he and the community appreciated all of the support so many provided.
“We’d like to thank the Maquapit Lake cottage owners and our governmental partners for their grand efforts to bring John home to his family,” he said in a followup release.
“It was truly a testament to the kindness of New Brunswickers and was a great example of communities helping communities.”
He also thanked members from other Wolastoqey First Nation communities, the local fire department and other authorities for their support and contributions to the weekend efforts to find and recover Paul.
Sitansisk is now focusing on supporting Paul’s family and the rest of the community in dealing with the tragic events and moving forward.
“Paul’s family is asking people to keep him in their hearts and offer prayers,” the Sitansisk release stated.
“There are currently sacred fires at the lake as well as at the Maqiyahtimok Centre in Sitansisk for members wishing to offer prayers for John and his family.”
The community’s Critical Incident Stress Management team is also on site at both sacred fire locations to offer support to Sitansisk members, and the team can be contacted by phone at (506) 688-3721.
The Fredericton Independent can be reached at ftonindependent@gmail.com.