First Nation student safety focus of meeting in Thunder Bay

Leaders from remote communities in northern Ontario are hoping a meeting today with school boards, police and other service providers in Thunder Bay will help keep First Nations students safe in the city.

An inquest, expected to start in the fall, will look into the deaths of seven First Nations youth who died while attending school in Thunder Bay.

Meanwhile chiefs want to build partnerships with local agencies to ensure all young people are safe and healthy, said Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakagamic. 

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"When any youth are in danger, in trouble or in crisis it is, to me, a broader societal problem," Kakegamic said. "These issues do not exist in isolation."

Nishnawbe Aski Nation, representing 49 First Nations in northern Ontario, is acting on a resolution passed by chiefs in February, he said.

An invitation letter sent from Kakegamic to service providers in Thunder Bay reads: "NAN is inviting our community partners together for a discussion of identified issues including but not limited to:

• Positives - Education opportunities, First Nations Trade School, economic development, training
• Prevention Strategies – Addiction Issues, trafficking and abuse of narcotics and prescription drugs
•  Community Safety - Racism, gangs, access to services, orientation for newcomers
• Homelessness – Overcrowding, access to housing

Lakehead University, Confederation College, the public and Catholic school boards, the Salvation Army, Shelter House, the Ontario Provincial Police, Thunder Bay police and the city of Thunder Bay were among the invitees, Kakegamic said.

First Nations students will also attend to share some of their experiences and help others understand the challenges they face when they arrive in the city.

"These people have to leave their families and then, when you're lonely, you sometimes get side-tracked to go into other activities, into danger," Kakegamic said.