THUNDER BAY — It's been eight years since the initial inquest into the deaths of seven youths was completed.
At a hotel in Thunder Bay on Thursday, officials and ministers from various levels of government, community partners, and the family members of those who were part of the inquest were in attendance for the yearly update on the progress of the 145 recommendations made in 2016.
The First Nation youth who died in Thunder Bay included Reggie Bushie, Jethro Anderson, Jordan Wabasse, Kyle Morriseau, Curran Strang, Paul Panacheese, and Robyn Harper.
Two students who are currently going to school in Thunder Bay spoke to the group about their experiences and whether they've benefited from any of the report's recommended changes.
Originally from Deer Lake First Nation, Robyn Aysanabee is in Grade 12 at Dennis Franklin Cromarty and said being at the school makes them feel safe.
"[DFC] offers a lot of support, whether it's mentally or physically -- showing the bus routes and having counsellors in the school during all school hours every day, where you can go see them any time you need to talk."
But Aysanabee said not having a stable living situation makes them feel unsafe and often unwanted. The student has bounced around five or six boarding homes in the past two years.
"One time, a lady had a party in her house while I was staying there. I quickly got out of that situation because it wasn't safe or welcoming. Sometimes people just get really busy with their own lives, they don't have the time to care for the student that they have in their home."
They said it's important to feel welcome -- that the hosts care about the students and their success while staying in their homes.
Tessa Harper is also a graduating Grade 12 student at DFC, who hails from Sandy Lake First Nation. She echoed that mental health support has been key to her success at school and in life.
"Throughout my life, even going to school was hard. I stopped going for a while. But I expanded my support system and got accepted into Lakehead.
"Now I feel like there's people who have shown me that 'I am here to guide you and give you advice.' That kind of support is super important, especially if it's someone who's felt so lost before. I've learned that I could take it one day at a time and that, eventually . . . I would be in a place where I never thought I would be."
When asked if there was something the visiting politicians could take back to Queen's Park and Parliament Hill, Harper said: "Listen. Just listen and look out for it because sometimes people are scared, sometimes people are so accustomed to what is already the norm. So you can't really expect people to advocate so easily because it's hard."
Patty Hajdu, minister of Indigenous services, said the federal government has done a lot to assist students coming to Thunder Bay for school, but there's always more that can be done.
"The reality is these are very young children, and they are away from home at pivotal times of their lives. Oftentimes, it's confusing enough to be an adolescent. On top of that, you're far away from home. You're far away from family -- many students have talked about the experience of loneliness.
"If the young people don't feel what's been put into place is actually helping, then it doesn't matter what I think. What really matters is, do the youth feel that they're well enough supported to be able to complete their education, have a good experience here in the city and feel safe while they're learning."
Hajdu added that it's important she and the tables she sits at carve out space for young people to have honest conversations about what is helping them feel safe while getting a complete education.
She also said education is self-determined by each First Nation, depending on whether they want schools located closer or in their communities. Additionally, some First Nations are looking into remote learning for students.
Michael Tibollo, the provincial associate minister of mental health and addictions, also participated in the meeting.
"The first thing is the fact that I'm here, I'm really interested in listening to what the needs are in the different communities because one of the things you learn is that remote communities, rural communities have very different needs than the cities, especially in the south.
"One of the things I'm focused on is making sure that we build therapeutic alliances with the people that are looking for help. That means you can't have me delivering services in Indigenous communities. You need to train people that are Indigenous and utilize culturally appropriate services like land-based healing, water-based healing, traditional teachings, and language."
When the update concluded, NAN officials said while there's been progress, more work needs to be done.
"This will never be a ‘completed’ matter - sustainable long-term funding and resources are a critical need in order to adequately meet the requirements of the recommendations and, more importantly, to ensure our students are no longer having to fear putting their lives at risk in order to obtain an education," said a statement from NAN.
"The outcomes will have to be continually maintained and enhanced for ongoing student safety and family preservation."