Over the last week, we here at the Tumbler RidgeLines have recieved many letters of support, both for us as reporters, and for the community at large. Here are some of the kind things people have said:
From Vanessa Whelan:
Luke Whelan (my son) played for the TR raptors for many years before we moved. Yesterday his team U18A Fredericton Capitals and their rival team Oromocto Eagles paid tribute to Tumbler Ridge and wore number 14 for Maya. It was a surreal moment to have these boys forget their egos and come together for a moment of silence and to hold up the TR jersey.
From Heather Eling:
Yesterday, the Tumbler Ridge U15 Raptors were scheduled to play a league game versus the Dawson Creek U15 Whitetail Energy Canucks. The recent tragedy left the ice time unfilled. Dawson Creek invited our team, the Fort St. John U15 Yellowhead Helicopters Flyers, to take to the ice with them. We were honoured to take the ice in place of the Raptors team. Before the game started, every person in the arena stood, each player from both teams, standing still and silent with sticks blades down, each player’s helmet resting on the ice adorned with a “Tumbler Ridge Strong” sticker in honour, respect and support of everyone in Tumbler Ridge. Last Sunday, FSJ Yellowhead Helicopters played our last league game against the Tumbler Ridge Raptors team, including Ezekiel. Yesterday we were humbled to play in his memory and in honour of the grief our neighbours, friends and hockey family are feeling.
Rest in peace Ezekiel, Abel, Kylie, Zoey, Ticaria, Emmett, Shannda and Jennifer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maya and Paige in Vancouver.
From Jadyen Bradbury:
Just wanted to reach out, on behalf of the Quinte West SV Plumbing and Heating U15 team. We have done a tribute for Maya with the family’s permission. We send our prayers out to everyone affected by these tragic times. We had laid eight sticks at centre ice with Maya’s photos, and 27 sticks off the ice for the people who were injured.
From Maryke Myburgh, For Tumbler Ridge:
In a valley held by mountains wide,
Where wind moves soft through pine and pride,
A silence fell one aching day
And stole the ordinary away.
A small town heart began to break,
With every breath the hills would take.
Front doors opened, lights stayed on,
Waiting for what could not be undone.
For the lives cut short, we speak their names
In candlelight and window flames.
In schoolyard echoes, empty chairs,
In whispered prayers and trembling stares.
For mothers, fathers, standing still
Against a grief no words can fill —
May arms around you never part,
May neighbours help to hold your heart.
May casseroles and quiet tea
Carry love where you cannot see.
May tears fall freely, unashamed,
For love that lived and will not be tamed.
For children who walked through fear’s long night,
Who carry shadows out of sight —
May gentle mornings find your door,
May laughter visit once more.
May love, games, and open skies
Help steady small, courageous eyes.
May every hug be fierce and long,
A promise: you are safe, you belong.
And to the town — brave, close, and small —
Whose strength is found in loving all,
You gathered close when darkness came,
Not bound by politics or blame,
But by the simple, sacred thread
Of meals delivered, tears well shed.
In grocery lines and churchyard pews,
In work boots worn and schoolyard shoes,
You stand together, shoulder to shoulder,
A little shaken — but a little bolder.
For grief is heavy, yes, it’s true,
But shared between us, it splits in two.
And love — in towns where all are known —
Grows deeper roots when pain is sown.
May the mountains keep their watch above,
May this valley be wrapped in love.
For though the day was dark and long,
A small community remains strong.
From Jeremy Bridge:
As a former resident of Fort St. John for 42 years with a lot of love for that little town, I sure appreciate your proper and true coverage on this. I wish you never had to, but here you are.
Just wanted to say I witnessed the same “moment of silence “ in Okatoks Alberta yesterday between their U18 AAA and our Airdrie (my home now) Hockey teams!
Very kind words and support from Okatoks rink there yesterday.
Sorry I never got any pictures.
Anyways I’m sorry this happened in this Beautiful town you call home.
Thoughts and prayers for everyone there.
From Don Luka:
I would just like to point out that with what we’ve seen for community effort and compassion for all those affected by this tragedy, there is no doubt in my mind that the town of Tumbler Ridge could pattern a new Canada. One where we had community. One where we knew our neighbours. One where we try to build a community goal.
Since its inception in the late 70’s, I have had the privilege of being connected to the community intimately. It is as I always felt in my heart, a shining star.
No matter the dark clouds today, there is no doubt that the town I helped build, will prevail even stronger.
Bless you all and my sincerest condolences.
From Megan Ferguson:
My heart hurts that you are going through this I am glad you are getting better from Mantoulin Island Ontario.
From Phyl Pelensky:
Our thoughts with everyone. Sending condolences to everyone.
From Colonial Coal:
Tumbler Ridge,
From the moment we heard of the tragedy unfolding, our thoughts have been unable to leave our town. Finding words, or even thoughts to express our grief at the loss of young life has proven impossible, but those words are also needless, as we are all experiencing that grief together.
For many of us at Colonial Coal, our connection to the town dates to the inception. We love and are incredibly proud of this community.
Our thoughts and support are with all the children, parents, teachers, first responders and residents of Tumbler Ridge, as well as anyone with whom they are connected.
The resilience and hard, emotionally draining work are something to behold in moments of profound tragedy. There have been many in the past few days. We especially want to commend Trent Ernst for keeping all of us, across the world, informed. His dedication to his community is something we should all strive for.
For those who provided first aid to their peers, like Maddie Levesque and others yet to be named, ‘heroic’ is not an adequate descriptor.
We will work closely with the community and the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School PAC to determine how best to support everyone.
We will never stop advocating for our community, in all aspects, including better mental health support.
Our community has been forever changed, but the loving, resilient, hard-working disposition will remain the same.
Everyone at Colonial Coal.
Scott Lunny, USW:
The United Steelworkers is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, which has claimed the lives of multiple people and left many more injured, including students and community members.
From Gina Walsh Lloyd:
Deepest Condolences to everyone in Tumbler Ridge.
From Gloria Glynn:
Get well soon,to all of your community,from NewZealand.
From Geri Tasker:
Just wanting to send my deepest condolences to the families that have lost loved ones and prayers and love to all connected to this tragic event!
From Annette Duval:
I am just a grandma from North Vancouver following news that pops up on facebook. We are all mourning with your whole town and so happy to hear Paige is getting better. Thank you for the update—a bit of good news at last, sending you all strength for the coming days.
From Fred Rynold:
We in Nova Scotia know something about the feelings they are experiencing, because we watched our own province become a headline six years ago, and we have carried that day ever since.
We know what it is to see your home on the news. We know that the grief does not end when the cameras leave. We know that the second year is sometimes harder than the first. We know there is no closure and no magic cure.
Grief is a lifelong process. The only thing that helps is compassionate, responsive understanding from the people around us .
Right now, what matters are the families in Tumbler Ridge who received phone calls no parent should ever receive.
What matters are the classmates trying to process what they saw.
What matters is a community that will carry this loss for the rest of its life.
The premier of British Columbia asked Canadians to wrap these families with love today, tomorrow and into the future.
He said that this will reverberate for years to come. He is right.
So from Nova Scotia, where we are still learning how to carry what we were given: we see you, Tumbler Ridge. We are holding you in whatever small way distance allows.
Hold your people close.
From Col. Chris Hadfield:
Such a horrific tragedy in Tumbler Ridge. I can’t imagine the shock and grief for everyone there, and pray that the wounded survive. Dealing with the aftermath will be so incredibly hard. My heart aches for the families and community.
From the Vigil in Langley
The staff at Tumbler Ridge Pharmacy are heartbroken by the tragedy in our community. Tumbler Ridge is more than a place that we work, but also it is our home and many of the people affected are our patients, neighbours and friends. We want you to know that we are here to support you in any way that we are able. With love and compassion, we can all find a way to move forward.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
