Memorial Fund - Fort Smith plane crash

On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, several people lost their lives in a tragic plane crash near Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. This memorial fund is for the families of the following five people:

• Diane Balsillie

• Howard (Howie) Benwell

• Joel Tetso

• Shawn Krawec

• Paszolo Alba

These individuals were integral members of the Fort Smith community, which has been devastated by this loss. In a place where everyone knows everyone, the connections of family, friends, and neighbours run deep. The profound loss has left the entire North grappling with grief.

In response to the outpouring of requests from near and far as to how to offer support, this page has been created so people can honour the memory of these exceptional individuals and extend a helping hand to their families during this difficult period. Your donations will play a crucial role in ensuring immediate assistance for the families to navigate through these trying times. Donations will be divided equally among the five families.

Please note that 100% of the donated funds will reach the families - any associated GoFundMe fees will be covered.

A separate survivor fund has also been established to support Kurt Macdonald, the sole survivor of the accident, in his recovery, which can be found at this link: https://gofund.me/b1b2d587