NAN, Family Looking for Answers and Accountability as Mamakwa Inquest Begins

Press Release

June 1, 2026

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Executive Council members will join with family members and representatives of Kingfisher Lake First Nation as the inquest into the death of Kevin Mamakwa gets underway in Thunder Bay today.

“Kevin’s passing has been devastating to his family, loved ones, and the entire Kingfisher Lake community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as we begin this difficult, but necessary process to determine why the life of a young man that was filled with such promise ended so tragically,” said Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum. “Kevin’s passing while in custody is not an isolated tragedy. We share the concerns of his family and community about the conditions he encountered during his custody and the access to care and supports he received. We support his family’s demand for accountability and hope this inquest helps provide them with the closure they need.”

Kevin Mamakwa, 27, died on June 2, 2020 while in custody at the Thunder Bay Jail. The inquest begins today at 9:30 a.m. at the Ontario Government Building, 189 Red River Road, main floor auditorium. It is expected to last 10 days and hear from approximately 15 witnesses. The inquest was scheduled to be held in January but was postponed due to a death in the family.

The inquest is expected to explore systemic issues within the correction system as well as the lack of services and access to care that many First Nations members experience while living in urban centres across northern Ontario.

Deputy Grand Chief Achneepineskum will provide testimony on Tuesday about the failure of existing systems to adequately protect our members, especially the most vulnerable, who cycle between community, being unhoused, hospital care, and incarceration. She will address the chronic inequities faced by NAN First Nations members who find themselves isolated and in need of health, mental health, and addiction services, housing, and the continued failure of emergency response and by that continue to contribute to tragic outcomes for NAN First Nation citizens.

Inquest proceedings can be viewed online at:

For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca

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