TORONTO

Coroner announces inquest into First Nations teen deaths

The Canadian Press Published Thursday, May 31, 2012 11:00PM EDT

Dr. Andrew McCallum, chief coroner of Ontario, is seen outside his offices in Toronto on Thursday, May 31, 2012. McCallum's office has turned up about 120 possible cases of previously unidentified child and youth deaths linked to the Indian residential school system. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel

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Ontario's chief coroner says a joint inquest will be held into the deaths of seven First Nations youth in Thunder Bay.

Dr. Andrew McCallum says the deaths of the seven -- who were aged 15 to 21 -- occurred between November 2000 and May 2011.

All seven students died after leaving their home communities to pursue secondary education in Thunder Bay.

An inquest into the death of one of the seven, Reggie Bushie, was called in January 2009.

In consultation with Nishnawbe Aski Nation, McCallum says the inquest is being expanded to include all seven deaths, due to the similar circumstances which surrounded them.

The date and location of the inquest will be announced at a later date.

Jethro Anderson, 15, of Kasabonika Lake First Nation, died on or about Nov. 11, 2000.
Reggie Bushie, 15, of Poplar Hill First Nation, died on or about Nov. 1, 2007.
Robyn Harper, 19, of Keewaywin First Nation, died on Jan. 13, 2007.
Kyle Morrisseau, 17, of Keewaywin First Nation, died on or about Nov. 10, 2009.
Paul Panacheese, 21, of Mishkeegogamang First Nation, died on Nov. 11, 2006.
Curran Strang, 18, of Pikangikum First Nation, died on or about Sept. 26, 2005.
And Jordan Wabasse, 15, of Webequie First Nation, died on or about May 10, 2011.