THUNDER BAY -- First Nations leaders are taking their complaints and concerns about policing in Thunder Bay to a broader stage.
Officials with Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Grand Council Treaty # 3 and Rainy River First Nations have organized a news conference to be held in Toronto at 10:30 Wednesday morning.
A media advisory states that they “will announce action to address the policing crisis around river deaths in Thunder Bay.”
The advisory notes the most recent deaths, Keeash of North Caribou Lake First Nation and 14-year-old Josiah Begg of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Big Trout Lake).
It also points to the October, 2015 death of Stacy DeBungee of Rainy River First Nation, which “triggered a systemic review of racism “ in the Thunder Bay Police Service by the provincial government’s Office of the Independent Review Director.
Participants in the media conference will include NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, Grand Council Treaty # 3 representative Francis Kavanaugh and Rainy River First Nations Chief Jim Leonard.
The event will be broadcast live via Facebook (facebook.com/NishnawbeAskiNation).
