Coroner calls for joint inquest into student deaths in Thunder Bay

A joint inquest has been announced for the seven Nishnawbe Aski Nation youth who died while attending high school in Thunder Bay.
“We are pleased that the chief coroner granted NAN’s request for a joint inquest and that we finally have a process that will examine all seven deaths and answer some of the questions the families of these youth and their communities have been asking for years,” said Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose. “The loss of so many young lives has caused great fear and apprehension across NAN First Nations and it is time that the truth is uncovered as to the cause of these tragedies.”
Jethro Anderson, from Kasabonika Lake, died in November 2000 at age 15; Curran Strang, from Pikangikum, died in September 2005 at age 18; Paul Panacheese, from Mishkeegogamang, died in November 2006 at age 21; Robyn Harper, from Keewaywin, died in January 2007 at age 19; Reggie Bushie, from Poplar Hill, died in November 2007 at age 15; Kyle Morrisseau, from Keewaywin First Nation, died in November 2009 at age 17; and Jordan Wabasse, from Webequie, died in May 2011 at age 15.
The office of Ontario’s previous chief coroner had called for an inquest into the death of Reggie Bushie in January 2009, but after consultation with NAN, Dr. Andrew McCallum, Ontario’s current chief coroner, decided to expand the discretionary inquest to include all seven deaths, due to their similar circumstances.
Details regarding the date and location of the inquest will be announced when information becomes available.
NAN had called for a joint inquest because the families of the seven youth had been asking for answers into the deaths of their children.
“NAN has requested that the chief coroner commence a joint inquest into the deaths of seven of our youth to help the families and their communities obtain the closure they so rightfully deserve,” Waboose said. “Since the most recent deaths, apprehension and fears have grown across NAN First Nations as to the real cause of these tragedies.”
The inquest into the death of Reggie Bushie was scheduled for January 2009, but it was delayed after NAN and legal counsel for the Bushie family questioned the validity of the selection process for the jury.
Evidence on the validity of the jury roll was presented in July 2011 during pre-inquest hearings into Bushie’s death at the Superior Court of Justice in Thunder Bay.
The coroner then ruled in September 2011 that the 2011 jury roll was legally invalid and the inquest could not proceed.
Although hearings were scheduled for May 23 to look into the validity of the 2012 jury roll, the hearing was adjourned to allow the Chief Coroner of Ontario to consider NAN’s request for a joint inquest.
An inquest jury may be able to make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths among students from remote northern communities.