Rick Garrick — Wawatay News

Questions are being raised about seven Nishnawbe Aski Nation high school students who died since 2000 while attending school in Thunder Bay.
“Why should someone so young, who was just trying to fulfill his dreams, end up losing his life?” said Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse about Webequie’s Jordan Wabasse. “The fact that this is the seventh young life lost, under similar circumstances, is beyond unacceptable. It makes me question: why isn’t there more outrage from governments and from Canadians in general, over these deaths?”

Jordan Wabasse was laid to rest May 16 in his community of Webequie.
“It was very emotional to be at that funeral,” said Grand Chief Stan Beardy. “It was extremely moving. I think it was especially hard for his immediate family, his parents and his siblings. It really touched my heart because I can relate to how the family feels.”
Beardy lost his own son in tragic circumstances about seven years ago.
“I know how devastated they feel to go through that,” Beardy said.
Beardy said the coffin was sealed and there was no viewing of the body.

Calls are being made for equitable, stable and sustainable funding for First Nations after the new federal budget was announced June 6.
“Our people have been underfunded for many years now and we see the results in the poor conditions in too many of our communities and the poor health of too many of our people,” said National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo. “This budget does not deliver on these very real needs.”

Keewaywin Elder Peggy Kakepetum does not like seeing young people leaving her community.
“I don’t really like our young people going out anywhere,” Kakepetum said a week after Jordan Wabasse’s body was discovered in the Kaministiquia River in Thunder Bay.
She said the only safe place she can think of where Keewaywin students attend school is Pelican Falls First Nation High School just outside Sioux Lookout. The school has on site housing for students.

Two parents were among the graduates at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School (DFC) this year.
“It was a full schedule,” said Jordie Kakegamic, the father of a five-month-old daughter and a fifteen-month-old son from Keewaywin. “It was hard, but it was worth it in the end.”
Kakegamic, who has an uncle working with Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, is planning to study police foundations at Confederation College.
Wapekeka’s Chelsea Goodman, a single mother, received help from her mother and staff at DFC throughout the school year as she pursued her education.