FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Toronto (September 29, 2015) – Paul Pancheese’s family is relieved that the Inquest into the death of Paul and six other youth: Jethro Anderson, Curran Strang, Robyn Harper, Reggie Bushie, Kyle Morrisseau and Jordan Wabasse will begin October 5, 2015 but they are also worried because they know it will be difficult to hear evidence about Paul’s death and the death of other students.
The family is understandably feeling overwhelmed and believes that the Inquest will be an intense experience. Paul’s mother, Maryanne Panacheese stated, “It will be too difficult for some family members to attend.” She added, “I personally have to attend to honour Paul and the other students. Paul wanted better for First Nation students. He wanted them to be able attend school to access a better system and get better education. Because I know this is how Paul felt, I agreed to participate in this inquest.”
The family is bothered that Paul’s death is assumed to be an overdose. They have been inundated with media requests and asked often if his death was an overdose. There is uncertainty in relation to Paul’s death and whether heart complications had a role in his death. The Inquest will hear the post mortem and toxicology evidence during the first week of hearings.
Maryanne stated, “We don’t know exactly how Paul died but it has been almost nine years and we are still waiting for some answers. It is our hope that the Inquest will help us to understand more.”
Contact: Christa Big Canoe, Legal Advocacy Director, ALST
and counsel for the Panacheese family
Phone: 416-408-4041 x 225 or 647-227-4392
Email: canoecd@lao.on.ca
The Panacheese family would appreciate some privacy and time to prepare to hear the evidence about Paul’s death without media requests for interview prior to the beginning of the Inquest on October 5 2015.
