Families, groups ask for input at student deaths inquest

Twelve groups or individuals have requested the right to have input at an inquest into the deaths of seven First Nations students in Thunder Bay.

Families of the students who died make up half the applicants, as only one family did not seek standing at a hearing in Thunder Bay on Tuesday.

First Nations' organizations that asked for the ability to call witnesses and question them at the inquest include the Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council.

Ontario Regional Chief Stan Beardy also requested standing.

Three non-aboriginal organizations also applied for standing: The City of Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Police Service and the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth.

A decision on who will be allowed to participate in the inquest will be announced at a later date.

Those granted standing will then be consulted on the scope of the inquest.

The hearing ended with the names of the dead students being read out loud.

Northern Ontario regional supervising coroner Dr. Michael Wilson has said the inquest is still months away from starting.