Culturally-appropriate resources could save lives, deputy grand chief tells inquest

By Carrie Ivardi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, NWOnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — Kevin Mamakwa died “a very tragic death, a senseless death, that could have been avoided.” That’s according to Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum, the third witness to testify at a coroner’s inquest into the 27-year-old Kingfisher Lake First Nation man’s death in custody at the Thunder Bay District Jail. “The main message that we wanted to convey is that the Anishinaabe citizens, we need to have more mental health services,” Achneepineskum said on Tuesday. The second day of the inquest into Mamakwa’s death marked the six-year anniversary of his passing. Presiding Coroner Dr. Michael Wilson acknowledged this fact before introducing Achneepineskum. She said that building a new jail is necessary, but that the government must…

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