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A small historical church in Alberta has been destroyed by fire.
Wood Buffalo RCMP were called to St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Janvier at around 10:30 p.m. on Friday.
When officers arrived at the church, it was completely engulfed in flames.
Shane Janvier, Chipewyan Prairie First Nation councillor said in a video on Facebook that early indications appear to be arson.
"It's burnt right down to the ground," said Janvier. "Enough is enough. We have to start looking out for one another as a community. We're treaty people here that belong to this nation, this band, this community. We're Denésoliné people. If we're going to make statements that this is our land, we're going to fight for this land. We better learn to respect our land. That's not respecting our community."
Janvier says the church played a significant role in the community.
"There were lots of celebrations at this church over the years. Lots of weddings, lots of baptisms. This is a place where we've come to say our last respects to our loved ones, our ancestors, " said Janvier. "My first Holy Communion was here at this church."
Another member of the community says she prays the fire was not deliberate.
"I had the privilege to get married there. With its history of love and comfort of this church, it happily gave us so much strength to keep our married life strong and worth every moment of it."
"If it was set on fire, I hope the person who did this finds faith in their higher power to overcome and be forgiven for this or what they may be fighting with inside themselves. We have to have hope for our community. We have to make Janvier thrive for our people and who’s next to come."
RCMP say witnesses saw a silver sedan driving away from the church around the time of the fire. They encourage anyone with information to contact them or Crimestoppers.
This isn't the first church to go up in flames in Alberta. Earlier this month, RCMP responded to a pair of church fires in Barrhead, Alberta. Officers believe both fires were intentionally set.
RCMP say all three fires remain under investigation.