The Philippine Cultural Association of Yellowknife is hosting a vigil for the victims of the tragedy at the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party in Vancouver.
A man killed 11 people aged five to 65 and injured more than 20 others on Saturday night after driving an SUV into a crowd at the street festival celebrating Filipino culture.
A 30-year-old man from Vancouver has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder.
In a statement on Sunday, NWT Premier RJ Simpson said the incident had left many people in the territory “shaken and grieving” and expressed his condolences to Canada’s Filipino community on behalf of northerners.
“Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones, those who were injured, and all those whose lives have been forever changed by this senseless act,” he said.
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“The Filipino community here in the NWT is a vibrant and valued part of life in our territory, and their contributions enrich every corner of the North. Today, we stand with them, with Filipino Canadians across the country, and with all those mourning this tragedy in grief, in solidarity, and in support.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Yellowknife’s deputy mayor Ben Hendriksen also shared condolences on behalf of the city
“The Yellowknife Filipino community forms an invaluable part of Yellowknife’s rich cultural heritage,” he stated. “Yellowknife stands with the Filipino community and offer our unqualified support and compassion during this time.”
The Yellowknife association’s vigil will take place on Friday, May 2 at Somba K’e Civic Plaza outside City Hall, starting at 6:30pm.
“Let us come together in mourning, remembrance, and solidarity as one community,” a Facebook event for the vigil states.
“Everyone is welcome. We grieve together. We heal together.”
