A coroner’s inquest has ruled that Romeo Wesley died accidentally at the Cat Lake Nursing Station almost seven years ago.
The jury determined that Wesley died in a struggle while being restrained after going for treatment to deal with acute alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens.
A total of 52 recommendations have been released with several aimed at the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Police, the Cat Lake First Nation, Health Canada, and the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority.
Among the recommendations are to have police meet monthly with band leadership to discuss events in the community, use band members to educate youth on the dangers of solvent, drug and alcohol
abuse at a young age, and have the federal government designate the Nishnawbe Aski Police as the communities police force.
The jury is also asking the Sioux Lookout Health Authority to ensure the nursing station is adequately staffed and install security cameras with audio capability in all public areas of the nursing station.
All the parties named in the inquest recommendations have a year to respond.
