NAN and INAC seeking standing at inquest into deaths of First Nation students in Thunder Bay
NAN press release
NAN hopeful standing will be granted at Bushie inquest
THUNDER BAY, ON, Jan. 14 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is hopeful that NAN and legal counsel for the family of Reggie Bushie will be granted standing in the coroner's inquest into the death of Reggie Bushie following pre-inquest proceedings in Thunder Bay today.
"NAN made submissions to Dr. David Eden, presiding coroner, as to why NAN has a substantial and direct interest in the proceedings," said Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. "Only by determining the circumstances surrounding the death of Reggie Bushie can we fully understand how this tragedy occurred and what can be done to prevent deaths under similar circumstances."
Northern Nishnawbe Education Council, the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) also sought standing for the inquest.
"We welcome INAC's presence at this inquest as we need to look at broader, systemic issues affecting our students including education funding and policies," said Fiddler. "INAC's participation is a crucial piece to this process."
Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto (ALST), legal counsel for the Bushie family, and NAN also filed motions questioning the validity of the selection process of the five-member jury for the inquest. These issues are to be determined at a later date.
"The jury roll issue must be dealt with," said Fiddler. "In order for the community and the family to have confidence in the process there has to be transparency in the jury selection."
Reggie Bushie, 15, died last fall while attending school at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School in Thunder Bay. The inquest into his death by the Office of the Chief Coroner was requested in February 2008 by NAN and Bushie's parents, Berenson and Rhoda King of Poplar Hill First Nation.
A total of five youth from NAN territory attending Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School have died in Thunder Bay since 2000.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities within James Bay Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 territory - an area covering two-thirds of the province of Ontario.
BACKGROUNDER
REGGIE BUSHIE INQUEST
- The body of Reggie Bushie was recovered from the McIntyre River in
Thunder Bay on November 1, 2007. Bushie was last seen alive along the
riverside on October 26, 2007.
- The coroner's inquest into the death of Reggie Bushie is scheduled to
begin Monday January 19, 2009 with Dr. David Eden presiding. The
inquest is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding Bushie's
death as well as issues relating to how First Nation students are
impacted when attending schools away from their communities.
- Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), Berenson and Rhoda King, Northern
Nishnawbe Education Council, and the Office of the Provincial
Advocate for Children and Youth have filed motions for standing
during the inquest. Should they be granted standing, the legal
council representing each party will be allowed to cross examine
witnesses testifying at the inquest.
- In September 2008, NAN and ALST requested that the Attorney General
conduct a formal inquiry into the jury roll system across the
Province of Ontario.
- Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto (ALST), legal council for
Berenson and Rhoda King, and NAN are questioning the validity of the
selection process of the five-member jury for the Reggie Bushie
inquest due to findings in 2008 that the jury roll in the Judicial
District of Kenora has systematically excluded First Nation people
from jury participation, even though the law requires that they be
included.
-30-
/For further information: Michael Heintzman, Media Relations Officer - Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4906 or (807) 621-2790 mobile/