Stabbing in Canada leaves one deceased, six others injured

On Thursday, September 12, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in Hollow Water First Nation, a remote Indigenous community located 217 kilometers north of Manitoba's provincial capital, Winnipeg.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that a mass stabbing occurred in the community, which has approximately 1,000 residents. The incident resulted in one fatality and left at least six victims requiring hospitalisation.

Sadly, the suspect also died in the incident.

This incident, along with separate incidents in James Smith Cree Nation and nearby Weldon in 2022, has brought attention to the disproportionate impact of violent crime on Canada's Indigenous population.

Indigenous people, who represent just 5% of Canada's population, are disproportionately affected by violent crime, including homicide. The incidents in James Smith Cree Nation and nearby Weldon involved multiple fatalities and injuries, and in 2022, a separate incident in Saskatchewan resulted in 11 deaths and 18 injuries.

The incidents in James Smith Cree Nation and nearby Weldon prompted a national inquiry, and the one in Hollow Water First Nation has renewed calls for action. The prevalence of crime in Canada's First Nations has been a concern for many years, and these incidents have once again brought the issue to the forefront.

The incidents in James Smith Cree Nation and nearby Weldon took place in different locations from the one in Hollow Water First Nation, and the one in Saskatchewan occurred in a separate year. However, they all underscore the need for increased safety and support for Indigenous communities in Canada.

The location of the incident in Hollow Water First Nation is central Canada, and it serves as a reminder that violent crime can occur anywhere. As a nation, it is crucial that we address the root causes of this issue and work towards a safer future for all Canadians, particularly those in Indigenous communities.