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Space limits for long-awaited inquest causing controversy

THUNDER BAY – At the dawn of a long-awaited coroner’s inquest into the death of seven students, the room where the hearing takes place is drawing controversy.
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Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, pictured outside the Thunder Bay Courthouse on Monday, is critical of lack of seating in the courtroom on the opening day of a long-awaited inquest into the deaths of seven First Nations students. (Matt Vis, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY – At the dawn of a long-awaited coroner’s inquest into the death of seven students, the room where the hearing takes place is drawing controversy.

The inquest, which is probing the deaths of Jethro Anderson, Curran Strang, Paul Panacheese, Robyn Harper, Reggie Bushie, Kyle Morriseau, Jordan Wabasse, begins Monday morning. Those students died while attending high school in Thunder Bay and away from their home First Nation communities.

Some are now expressing displeasure that the proceedings will be held in one of the smallest courtrooms at the year-old Thunder Bay Courthouse, with only about a dozen available spaces for the public.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said it sends a harsh message to the families of the seven students, who have now been waiting three years since the inquest was first announced.

“I really can’t describe why this is happening. But I know one thing. If these were seven non-native kids, believe me, the court system would move heaven and earth to accommodate the families but because these are First Nations families they are shoved into a corner of the little room. It’s horrifying to see,” Fiddler said in an interview about an hour before the scheduled start of the inquest.

The seven students all came to Thunder Bay from remote First Nations where six of them attended Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, which is run by the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council and serves 20 communities who send students to live in the city while receiving their education.

Anderson, 15, from Kasabonika Lake First Nation died in 2000. Strang, 18, from Pikangikum First Nation died in 2005. Panacheese, 21, from Mishkeegogamang First Nation died in 2006. Harper, 18, from Keewaywin First Nation died in 2007. Bushie, 15, from Poplar Hill First Nation died in 2007. Morriseau, 17, from Keewaywin First Nation died in 2009. Wabasse, 15, from Webequie First Nation died in 2011.

The inquest is expected to last six months and hear from around 200 witnesses.

Christa Big Canoe, counsel for six of the families, said the lack of accommodation makes a difficult process even harder.

“Given everything that is difficult in this inquest, having to hear the circumstances in your children’s death, it was one more layer of frustration or one more layer of upset for some of the families,” she said.

The start of the inquest was delayed for nearly an hour as there was a last-minute push to find space for the family members.

“There was really no clear explanation from any official to the families to tell them why they’re not making any more effort to accommodate all of the families. It’s really unbelievable to see how this is all unfolding. The families have waited so long for this day and for them to be guaranteed a seat in the room is unbelievable,” Fiddler said.

While space in the room was limited, a secondary viewing room inside the courthouse was set up and the proceedings are live streamed.

During the opening introductions presiding coroner Dr. David Eden said efforts were being made to move to a larger courtroom, possibly as early as Tuesday.

Fiddler said he spoke to the families on Sunday night to hear their concerns and prepare for what will undoubtedly be an emotional process.

“I think the only thing I could tell them was even though we may not be able to give them all the answers they’re looking for that we’ll make sure they will have the supports they need before the inquest, during the inquest and after the inquest to make sure they’re OK,” he said.

 





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