SACHIGO LAKE FIRST NATION – The statement reads, “On July 8, 2022, Eva Whiskeyjack, a beloved member of our community, took her own life in Marina Park in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Eva was a bright young woman who spent the last two years working hard to protect her community from the ravages of the pandemic. She had been a valued member of our team, but more importantly, she was a young mother, providing for her children and family, with hopes and dreams for a better future. We loved her and had hopes and dreams for her too.”
Eve Whiskeyjack’s body was found at Marina Park on the morning of July 8. As police investigate the scene, a bride and her bridesmaids were seen taking their wedding photos inside a nearby police cruiser. As they laughed and shared on the bride’s special day, a person connected to Whiskeyjack, who was at the scene, explained to the wedding party and the officer about their disrespect.
The Sachigo Lake First Nation statement goes on to explain, “For First Nations people, the site where a human soul perishes is considered a sacred and somber place. The family and friends of Eva congregated in Marina Park to mourn her passing. Many would have visited the site of her death to extend their farewells and pay their condolences.”
Sachigo Lake First Nation acknowledges the actions taken by the Thunder Bay Police Officer stating that “the deep sadness of losing Eva took on an additional ugly weight as a result of the actions.”
“We know that many of you are now beginning to understand the reasons why First Nations people struggle, and why you see many of our people living in poverty, on the streets and in other difficult circumstances,” the Sachigo Lake First Nations statement continues. “Thankfully, this generation of young Canadians are being taught the real history of First Nations people in Canada and are openly confronting the legacy of residential schools and the deep intergenerational harm it has caused our people. They understand too that suicide among our young is the most tragic of these legacies, and one for which all society must grieve.”
Sachigo Lake First Nations also ask the public to hold police officers accountable for their actions, so that future mistakes won’t happen again and become a sight of public spectacle on social media.
Thunder Bay Police have been accused of systemic racism in reports filed by both the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) and Senator Murray Sinclair. Several murder investigations involving Indigenous victims were also ordered to be re-investigated as a result.
In recent months, several human rights complaints have been filed against the Thunder Bay Police Services Board and police leadership. On top of this, Thunder Bay Police Chief Sylvie Hauth is also currently under suspension, facing allegations of misconduct brought forth by the OCPC.
“To the people of Thunder Bay, we ask that you follow your children's lead and honour Eva and others like her who have ended their lives as a result of deep despair. We ask that you hold your police officers to account for this behaviour to ensure that our tragedies and the loss of our young are not used as a backdrop for social media in the future. Standards of decency and compassion are the things that will bind us if we are to move forward as a society. Without these, we are destined to repeat the grave mistakes of our past - where some are treated as less human, less deserving than others. We ask that we work together to achieve what is right, what is just, and for the change necessary to bring the Thunder Bay Police Service back to a place of dignity and humanity."
