Earl Burns was a veteran of the Canadian military who courageously defended his family and community in James Smith Cree Nation until his tragic death. To honor his memory, a non-profit app called The Burns Way chat app is being developed. This app will enable veterans to connect instantly with trained military peer supports, bridging service gaps for those who are isolated or living in rural areas.
John MacBeth, founder and CEO of developer TryCycle Data Systems, emphasized that The Burns Way is centered on human beings supporting other human beings and fostering connections. Burns’s valor, courage, and duty epitomize the spirit of the app, making his name an obvious choice.
In September 2022, Burns was one of 11 victims in a brutal mass stabbing incident. He was fatally stabbed along with his wife in their home, and he died trying to chase the attacker. Macbeth revealed that Burns also saved children in the home during the attack. After serving in the military, Burns became a dedicated family man and rodeo competitor, as well as a bus driver for students on the reserve.
Despite the tragic loss, Burns’s family has granted their permission for his name to be used for the app. TryCycle Data Systems, with 15 years of experience in improving Indigenous health care, aims to deliver The Burns Way as a judgment-free and anonymous platform. The app is scheduled to launch in 2024 and will support various languages, including Indigenous languages, to reach the diverse veteran population.
With federal funding in sight, and the support of veterans’ organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion and the Aboriginal Veterans Association of Alberta, The Burns Way is set to bring vital support to veterans in need. This initiative signifies progress in empowering Indigenous communities to contribute to the healing of soldiers.