THUNDER BAY -- The family of Jethro Anderson has been waiting 15 years for answers surrounding the 15-year-old’s death in 2000.
“It’s something they’ve been struggling with for a long time,” said Alvin Fiddler, Nishnawbe Aski Nation deputy grand chief.
On Wednesday, the Toronto Star reported that the provincial government passed a new regulation allowing on-reserve First Nation community members to volunteer for inquest jury rolls, according to Ontario’s chief coroner Dirk Huyer.
The decision will allow several inquests to move forward that had been halted due to concerns about underrepresentation of First Nations on juries.
The inquest into the death of seven First Nation youth in Thunder Bay since 2000 is now expected to happen this fall.
In addition to Anderson, that inquest will look into the deaths of 15-year-olds Reggie Bushie and Jordan Wabasse, 17-year-old Kyle Morriseau, 18-year-olds Curran Strong and Robyn Harper and 21-year-old Paul Panacheese.
“I feel relief for the families,” said Fiddler, who is also the co-chair of the jury roll implementation committee, which was formed to implement the recommendations made in a report by former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci.
Fiddler said the regulation is long overdue and having community members volunteer for inquest juries was one of the recommendations set out in Iacobucci’s report.
After visiting just 16 communities, the committee had more than 340 people sign up to volunteer so far.
“It’s been phenomenal in terms of the response we’ve received from our communities that our community members want to be part of this. They want to be part of the solution,” said Fiddler.
“With the long, sad history of the justice system and how it’s failed our communities, especially in the north, if we create the conditions, if we create the right environment for community members to be involved, they will get involved.”
