Inquest called in death of indigenous artist
An inquest has been called into the death of indigenous artist Moses Amik Beaver — four days after he was found unresponsive in his Thunder Bay Jail cell.
Northern Ontario indigenous leaders, who have been demanding answers as to what happened to Beaver, 56, who suffered from mental-health issues, don’t believe an inquest is broad enough to handle everything.
“I know the current rules and mandates of an inquest are pretty narrow,” said Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler.
“We want a full investigation, a full inquiry of what happened. Not just Moses’ passing but the level of care he needed. There have been concerns for years regarding his mental well-being and it escalated. Why was he in jail?” Fiddler asked.
Chief Johnny Yellowhead of the Nibinamik First Nation said that it was “clear” that Beaver needed professional help and a psychiatric assessment, not to be incarcerated.
An inquest is mandatory in Ontario if an inmate dies of unnatural causes.
Dr. David Eden, the regional supervising coroner for inquests, said a “full investigation” is underway regarding Beaver’s death.
The probe will look at why there was a time delay before Beaver’s death was acknowledged by those responsible for his care.
It is “well known” in Canada that First Nations people are overrepresented in the prison system, Eden said. “The proportion of the prison population in Canada is substantially higher and it has been the subject of considerable concern,” Eden said, adding those facts will also be taken into consideration while investigating Beaver’s death.
Fiddler said he does not believe an inquest can look into the greater issues surrounding the jail and Canada’s prison system.
Conditions inside the 90-year-old Thunder Bay Jail are notorious. There was a public outcry after it was revealed that Adam Capay, a 24year-old Lac Seul First Nation man, had been held in solitary confinement for more than four years. He was held in aplexi-glass cell, with lights left on for 23 hours a day.
Beaver’s death comes at a time when the Thunder Bay Police Services are being investigated by a provincial police watchdog for allegations of systemic racism in how they handle all cases of murdered and missing indigenous people.
Beaver was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday to deal with two assault charges and one charge of breach of bail, according to court information. It is unclear if these were the reasons why he was incarcerated.
The date and location of the inquest will be announced at a later date.