NAN Acknowledges City’s Commitment to Implementation of Inquest Recommendations

THUNDER BAY, ON (February 28, 2017): Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum acknowledges the City of Thunder Bay’s commitment to the implementation recommendations from the Seven Youth Inquest.

“I acknowledge the City of Thunder Bay’s commitment to the implementation of these recommendations and I am encouraged that Council is committed to building relationships with NAN and our First Nations to begin to address many of the issues identified throughout the inquest,” said Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, who addressed City Council during last night’s council meeting. “We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the City and other organizations to move forward with this process. There is much work to be done, and we look to our federal and provincial Treaty partners to likewise commit to the implementation of these recommendations.”

Last night Council voted to accept and implement 31 recommendations directed to the City by the jury in the inquest into the deaths of seven First Nation students who died while under similar circumstances while attending school in Thunder Bay.

The Seven Youth Inquest examined the deaths of Jethro Anderson (2000), Curran Strang (2005), Paul Panacheese (2006), Robyn Harper (2007), Reggie Bushie (2007), Kyle Morrisseau (2009) and Jordan Wabasse (2011). All seven died while attending high school in Thunder Bay, far away from their families and home First Nation communities.

After hearing from 146 witnesses with 185 exhibits during eight months of proceedings the jury delivered at total of 145 recommendations directed at improving accountability, safety and education outcomes for all NAN students.

For more information please contact: Tamara Piché, Communications Officer – Nishnawbe Aski Nation
(807) 625-4906 or cell (807) 621-5549 or by email tpiche@nan.on.ca

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