WINNIPEG — Family members of a four-year-old boy who died from severe burns at a remote northern First Nation will get an opportunity to say a final farewell.
On Tuesday, the boy was playing at a home in Red Sucker Lake First Nation, 710 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, when he came into contact with a flammable substance that ignited, RCMP said in a statement Friday.
The child had severe burns to 95 per cent of his body, Red Sucker Lake Chief Les Harper said.
RCMP did not name the flammable substance.
The boy was transported to hospital in Winnipeg where he died.
Harper said off-reserve relatives in Winnipeg have been invited to the Aboriginal Funeral Home on Selkirk Avenue this evening to view the body and spend time with grieving family.
“There’s family that are in Winnipeg that can’t go back to the reserve for a funeral. Sunday, we’ll fly the casket home and then have a funeral Monday or Tuesday,” Harper said.
A viewing where the friends and relative gather to say their farewells is a common aboriginal custom and for northerners, it’s not unusual to have an urban service, along with a service and burial at home.
RCMP do not suspect foul play. An autopsy has been completed and Island Lake RCMP, along with officials from the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner have completed an investigation.
Harper wouldn’t name the child but said he had a brother and twin baby sisters.
His parents stayed with the boy at Children’s Hospital until he died.
“I don’t really know all the details. All I can say is we lost a boy and we’re planning funeral arrangements.” Harper added.
» Winnipeg Free Press
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition July 21, 2012
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