COO granted status in coroner’s inquest

The Chiefs of Ontario have been granted status to participate in the initial investigative phase of the Inquest into the Deaths of Seven First Nation Youths. COO’s objective is to collaborate with the coroner and the other parties to secure a broad inquest that will examine root causes and arrive at meaningful and realistic recommendations for all affected First Nations in Ontario. The inquest will focus on the deaths of seven First Nations youth who were pursuing their education in Thunder Bay away from their families and communities at the time of their deaths. “This inquest is essential to the protection of the lives of First Nation youths and in the protection of their right to access education in the same way as Canadian youth,” said Regional Chief Stan Beardy in a news release. The date of the inquest has yet to be announced.