THUNDER BAY – A pair of teenaged deaths in local waterways earlier this year has had a dramatic effect on enrolment at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School.
Norma Kejick, director of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Education Council, said student numbers have tumbled with school set to begin on Tuesday.
“I think the two recent deaths of Tammy Keeash and Josiah Begg being found in the river has really frightened our parents, has really frightened our leaders."
Keeash, 17, and Begg,14, both went missing on May 6 and were later found dead in local waterways.
Kejick said the all-Aboriginal school, which caters to students from remote fly-in communities, usually has about 130 students enrol each fall. This year just 71 have signed up, with a day left before classes begin.
Kejick made the remark during the city’s annual report responding to the seven youth inquest, which made more than 100 recommendations in the aftermath of the deaths of seven youth students who died between 2000 and 2011 while attending school in Thunder Bay.
Coun. Rebecca Johnson expressed concern about the situation.
"I'm sad about that, that there aren't more (students) coming in," Johnson said, asking Kejick what can be done to reverse the situation.
Kejick said community leaders and parents would like to see the city be more responsive and admit there is racism and violence toward Indigenous students attending school in Thunder Bay.
"We heard it loud and clear at the inquest," Kejick said, noting students said they have been pelted with eggs and garbage while walking on city streets.
Kejick said at least one community has made the decision to not allow students 17 and younger to attend school in Thunder Bay. Instead they will remain at home to attend high school.
"Maybe second semester will be different," Kejick said.
