Death of Kevin Mamakwa Postpones Inquest

An inquest into the death of a 27-year-old man who was in custody at the Thunder Bay Jail has been postponed due to the sudden death of his partner.

Kevin Mamakwa, nephew of Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa, died on June 2, 2020.

Under the Ontario Coroners Act, inquests for people who died in custody or jail are mandatory.

The inquest, set to be heard over the next two weeks, was adjourned soon after it started on Monday. It reconvened Tuesday morning, with presiding officer Michael Wilson announcing it’d been postponed.

Kevin’s partner, the mother of his children, was found dead on Sunday, Wilson said.

Kevin Mamakwa played on Kingfisher Lake First Nation’s men’s hockey team. (Submitted by Sol Mamakwa)

“Clearly, this is a devastating event for the family. It would not be in the interests of anyone of the inquest or of the family for us to proceed at this time.”

A new date has yet to be determined, but Wilson said proceedings may resume in June, six years after Kevin’s death. It is uncertain whether they will be held in person or virtually.

“My deepest condolences to the family members affected, to the community members affected and to all who have been affected by this recent turn of events,” said Wilson.

‘Painful but necessary process’: NAN

Kevin was a member of Kingfisher Lake First Nation, a remote Oji-Cree community in Treaty 9 territory about 350 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout.

In an interview on CBC’s Superior Morning in June 2020, Sol described his nephew as someone who was “really involved in sports.” He also was dealing with mental health and addiction issues, said the NDP member of provincial parliament, who was first elected in 2018.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), a political territorial organization that represents 49 First Nations in Treaties 9 and 5, issued a joint statement on Tuesday with Kevin’s father, Jonathon Mamakwa, who is Sol’s brother.

It was necessary to temporarily postpone these proceedings, but this does not lessen our resolve to get the answers we need.- Statement from Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Jonathon Mamakwa

“Reliving the circumstances around Kevin’s tragic passing will be a painful but necessary process that will help provide answers.. and explore systemic issues within the correction system and hold the appropriate people and institutions accountable,” the statement says.

“This includes the lack of services and access to care that many First Nations members experience while living in urban centres across northern Ontario. It was necessary to temporarily postpone these proceedings; however this does not lessen our resolve to get the answers we need.”

As MPP, Sol has called for Thunder Bay Jail’s closure due to safety concerns.

As construction continues on a new 345-bed correctional complex in the city, jail staff learned on Friday that both existing facilities will remain open due to overcrowding at Thunder Bay correctional centers.

The province looks into changing mandatory jail inquiries

In a coroner’s inquiry, witnesses give details about what led up to someone’s death. Afterward a five-person jury decides who died and when and where it happened along with their medical cause of death and means of death.

The jurors then categorize how it happened: natural causes, accident, homicide or suicide. They might also suggest ways to prevent future deaths.

The hearing for Kevin’s case was originally expected to take ten days with around fifteen witnesses testifying.

The province is gathering feedback regarding possible changes to Coroners Act which may replace required inquiries into jail deaths with yearly reviews led by coroners themselves.

If annual reviews go ahead inquiries could still happen “at families’ request or when deemed necessary by chief coroner,” according to Saddam Khussain from Ministry of Solicitor General.”

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