NAN and North Spirit Lake members support Kakegamic Walk For Justice in Kenora
NEWS RELEASE
Tuesday October 4, 2005 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NAN SUPPORTS KAKEGAMIC WALK FOR JUSTICE
KENORA, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic, together with Margaret and Isaac Kakegamic, Grand Council Treaty 3 Chief Ken Skead, and community members of North Spirit Lake First Nation gathered in Kenora, Ontario today to raise awareness of the prolonged criminal investigation of the death of Max Kakegamic and launch a legal fund and coroner’s inquest focused on moving the case forward.
“We’re raising awareness not only for ourselves and our own quest for justice, but for all the others across the lands of the First Nations,” said Margaret Kakegamic - the mother of Max Kakegamic who was killed in Kenora October 4, 2000. “I cannot explain how saddening and frustrating it is that five years after our son’s death no one is currently being tried for his murder. It is now time for us to take further action for justice.”
About forty people participated in a commemorative walk from Kenora Police Services to the corner of Matheson and 3rd Streets South where Kakegamic was killed five years ago today.
During a news conference at Matheson and 3rd Streets parents Margaret and Isaac Kakegamic launched the Max Kakegamic Justice Fund that will assist the family in securing a lawyer to further the investigation.
“This Justice Fund will allow myself and my husband to seek legal consultation and develop a strategy to further our case,” said Margaret Kakegamic. “In addition to our own local fundraising, assistance from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal individuals and organizations across the region, will put us in a position to carry our case forward and get the answers we deserve, not only as a grieving family, but as a People.”
The Anishnaabe Peace and Justice Coalition in Kenora is accepting contributions to the Max Kakegamic Justice Fund.
The family also announced their request for a coroner’s inquest that they hope will eventually lead to a public inquiry into the case.
The hearing for one of two Kenora Police Services officers charged with misconduct in relation to the death investigation and charging of Justin Carambetsos – the original murder suspect - was recently rescheduled to January 2006.
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For more information please contact:
Jenna Young
Communications Officer
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
(807) 625 4952 (807) 628 3953 (cellular)
from http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com./story.php?id=188517
Call for coroner’s inquest
There were tears of pain and tears from the cold wind at Tuesday’s Kakegamic Walk for Justice, but everyone present shared a unity of purpose that kept every heart warm.
By Ryan Crocker
Miner and News
Wednesday October 05, 2005
There were tears of pain and tears from the cold wind at Tuesday’s Kakegamic Walk for Justice, but everyone present shared a unity of purpose that kept every heart warm.
About 40 people participated in the event, which paid tribute to Max Kakegamic, who was murdered five years ago, his body dumped on a street corner. It opened with speeches and a ceremony outside the Kenora police station, followed by a commemorative walk to the intersection of Matheson and 3rd streets, where Kakegamic was found.
“We’re raising awareness not only for ourselves and our own quest for justice, but for all of the others across the lands of the First Nations,” said Margaret Kakegamic, Max’s mother.
“I cannot explain how saddening and frustrating it is that five years after our son’s death no one is currently being tried for his murder. It is now time for us to take further action for justice.”
The family has requested a coroner’s inquest they hope will eventually lead to a public inquiry, something that usually takes a lot of hard lobbying over a long period of time to secure.
Margaret Kakegamic, with her husband at her side, also announced the launch of the Max Kakegamic Justice Fund, which will pay for a lawyer to represent the family and further the investigation.
The Anishnaabe Peace and Justice Coalition is accepting contributions for the fund.
“The justice fund will allow myself and my husband to seek legal consultation and develop a strategy to further our case,” she said.
“In addition to our own local fundraising, assistance from aboriginal and non-aboriginal individuals and organizations across the region will put us in a position to carry our case forward and get the answers we deserve, not only as a grieving family, but as a people.”
The ceremony ended with a solemn row of participants placing cedar and flowers on a concrete block, building a makeshift memorial. The cedar is tremendously important to aboriginals because it represents, above all else, strength.
Strength certainly didn’t seem to be in short supply as Isaac and Margaret Kakegamic thanked everyone for taking the time to show their support and helping in the healing process. They ask the residents of Kenora to keep the pressure on, and help them find a sense of closure.