The yearly report card is out looking at the 145 recommendations tied to the First Nation student death inquest between October 2015 and June 2016.
Seven Indigenous youth died while attending high school.
Jonathan Rudin and Caitlyn Kasper of Aboriginal Legal Services and counsel for six of the seven families handed out grades to a number of parties when it came to implementing the recommendations.
GRADE BREAKDOWN
OVERALL: B+ (C+ Year One, A- in 2019)
Canada C+ (2019 B+)
Ontario B- (2019 B+)
City of Thunder Bay B (2019 A)
Nishnawbe Aski Nation A- (2019 A-)
Matawa Learning Centre A+ (2019 A-)
Northern Nishnawbe Education Council A+ (2019 A+)
Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School A+ (2019 A+)
Keewaytinook Okimakanak A+ (2019 A+)
“It’s good to see that progress has been made on implementing the recommendations over the past four years.” says Jonathan Rudin. “The fact
grades have dropped since last year speaks to the challenge of keeping the momentum going to address some of the more challenging recommendations the
jury made. The realities imposed by the pandemic make it even more crucial that these recommendations are addressed sooner than later.”
“The last year has been difficult for many families in the north, who now have to factor in the spread of COVID-19 as a risk to their children when moving to Thunder Bay.” indicates Caitlyn Kasper. “The families are grateful for the work that places like Matawa Learning Centre have done to ensure that the youth continue to learn, either in person or through remote means. The families recognize the work that has been completed so far in the jury recommendations but echo the disappointment that non-Indigenous governments have not done more. Indigenous students traveling to Thunder Bay require continued and improved support for their safety and success and every party to this Inquest has a role in ensuring that.”
All grades were based on reports filed by the parties with the Office of Chief Coroner
