Skip to content

Matawa leadership reacts to inquest recommendations

THUNDER BAY -- Matawa First Nations chiefs are expressing hope in the aftermath of the recommendations brought forth on Tuesday at the coroner’s inquest into the death of seven Aboriginal students in Thunder Bay between 2001 and 2011.
390969_12101666
Chief Wayne Moonias, Neskantaga First Nation (tbnewswatch.com file photograph)

THUNDER BAY -- Matawa First Nations chiefs are expressing hope in the aftermath of the recommendations brought forth on Tuesday at the coroner’s inquest into the death of seven Aboriginal students in Thunder Bay between 2001 and 2011.

Jordan Wabasse was a student at the Matawa Learning Centre when he disappeared in February 2011.

The other six were students at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School. The jury brought back 145 recommendations.

The following are statements released by Matawa chiefs.

“Regarding the recommendations delivered by the jury today, I am hoping that our youth will have better opportunities in education, whether it be in an urban centre or in their own First Nation. The way in which our youth are being educated needs to be addressed and I am hoping that the jury’s recommendations today will provide a clear path that will result in outcomes that will be felt right away.” – Chief Cornelius Wabasse, Webequie First Nation.

“With the type of support the jury has shown for the recommendations that the Matawa Learning Centre made jointly with other parties, Nibinamik First Nation is hopeful that the federal government will quickly follow through on implementing them so that our youth can receive the same quality education as any other youth in Canada.” – Chief Johnny Yellowhead, Nibinamik First Nation

“As the verdict is delivered today, I draw attention to the 1999 Selena Sakanee Inquest and the 2013 Bruce Moonias Inquest in my community of Neskantaga First Nation and how the recommendations from the juries in those inquests did not produce the needed action on the ground. In order to honour the seven youth in this inquest, action on the recommendations in this jury’s verdict is needed immediately.” – Chief Wayne Moonias, Neskantaga First Nation.

“On this day, we are thinking of the families involved in the inquest. We are behind and support them in every way. The experience of losign a child is one of the hardest things for a family to endure and this is why having the inquest was necessary – so they can have answers and some form of closure.” – Chief Doroty Towedo, Aroland First Nation

“To the students who may have attended high school with any of the seven youth named in this inquest – we acknowledge you today. We hope that the outcome of this inquest will ensure the safety and wellbeing of all First Nation students seeking education in Thunder Bay. As First Nation leaders, we provide our assurance that we will continue to demand the fulsome investigation into the harm or death of any of our youth.” – Chief Celia Echum, Ginoogaming First Nation



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
Read more



push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks