From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
On this National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, a recent investigation into the death of a 32-year-old Indigenous man is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice that continues to elude the Ojibways of Onigaming First Nations.
Joshua Kelly died earlier this month after paramedics parked their ambulance on the outskirts of the reserve in Northern Ontario instead of entering the home to provide medical care to the man, who had lost consciousness.
Since Kelly’s death on Sept. 15, Onigaming Chief Jeff Copenace says he has been fighting for answers and accountability. First, he wants to know why paramedics delayed their response. Secondly, Copenace wants solutions to help his Indigenous community deal with the ongoing trauma from the legacy of residential schools.
“I’ve watched so much pain and suffering. I can’t stop fighting,” said Copenace in an interview with CTV News earlier this week. Since becoming chief a year ago, Copenace says he’s attended a dozen funerals of people in the community.
From his band council office, Copenace says he can see the home where Kelly’s friends and family were when they called 911. He can also see the spot where the ambulance was idling on the side of the road. Copenace said he drove out and personally pled with one paramedic to save Kelly’s life, but was told they would not go in without a police escort.
“He told me that he’s been (previously) attacked,” Copenace said on Tuesday. “I believe this paramedic, who was white, was scared because he viewed us as less than human. It terrifies me, because this is when systemic racism becomes deadly and terrifying for people.”
Treaty 3 Police received a 911 call about a non-responsive male at approximately 10 a.m. local time on Sept. 15 and dispatched a police officer from its Kenora office, which is located about an hour away from the reserve.
A photo posted by a crisis worker on social media shows a parked ambulance on the side of the road with the timestamp of 10:45 a.m. on the same day.
One cousin previously told CTV News she performed CPR while waiting for paramedics to arrive, but was unable to revive Kelly.
Copenace says Kelly was born and raised in Onigaming and was “caring and well-loved.”
He said Kelly would often check in on the elderly people on the reserve, including Copenace’s father.
Kelly is survived by his mother, stepfather and five siblings. His obituary says he loved the outdoors and fishing with friends.
The Ontario Ministry of Health has launched an investigation into the incident, but declined to provide further comment. Copenace says the community wants more transparency about the provincial investigation.
“We still haven't received any information about that investigation. We would like to be involved. I know that we've got a number of witnesses -- probably 10 to 20 people -- who saw what happened. They were waiting for (paramedics') help,” he said.
The Kenora District Services Board (KDSB), which is responsible for paramedic response, is also reviewing the incident.
“Paramedics in our region put their lives on the line daily and give their all every day they go to work. They are asked to respond to a range of challenging, emergent situations, and assessing risk is a fundamental piece for our paramedics to ensure that they are safe while doing their work,” said KDSB Chief Administrative Officer Henry Wall in a press release issued Sept. 21.
After meeting with Copenace last week, Wall acknowledged in the press release that the community “desperately needs more resources” and said service providers “can do better.”
Jeff Copenace, Chief of Onigaming First Nation. Copenace says many on living on the reserve are struggling with the legacy of residential and day schools where Indigenous children were sexually and physically abused. Since becoming Chief in 2021, Copenace says he's attended a dozen funerals in the community.
Onigaming First Nation has yet to emerge from a state of emergency that was declared in 2014 after four young people died from suicide. Copenace said he is concerned Kelly’s death could trigger more trauma, leading to a spike in self-harm.
Many of the approximately 600 people who live in Onigaming are survivors of residential schools, and Copenace says the community doesn’t have enough resources to fight the high rates of alcohol and drug addiction in the community.
Copenace noted the reserve's medical clinic burned down last year and hasn’t been rebuilt. He said a community centre is needed that can house at least six “crisis beds” for youth who don’t feel safe at home, or to use as “sober spaces” to help people recover from substance abuse.
He has also requested more police resources to deal with the community’s drug problem. Copenace said he would like to see a dedicated constable in the reserve and help from tribal police to evict drug dealers from Onigaming. Treaty 3 Police Chief Kai Liu didn’t respond to CTV News’ request for comment, but Copenace’s request would likely be difficult to achieve. The police force only has 96 officers to patrol an area larger than the entire province of New Brunswick.
After meeting with community leaders last week, the federal government is responding to the crisis with funding for safety officers. Indigenous Services Canada will provide Onigaming First Nation with $50,000 to create a well-being first response team.
Copenace says Indigenous safety officers can be trained to use naloxone to revive people who have overdosed. These safety officers can also accompany paramedics into homes, if they arrive before police.
“If we can't count on the paramedics because of systemic racism, then we need our own people,” Copenace said.
He said the death of Joshua Kelly has made it clear that protecting the community from the legacy of colonialism requires solutions created by those who understand the pain.
This story has been updated with the correct spelling of Jeff Copenace, not Copenance.
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is inviting visitors to explore their poop. A new exhibition opens at the Ottawa museum on Friday called, 'Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste.'
The Regina Police Service says it is the first in Saskatchewan and possibly Canada to implement new technology in its detention facility that will offer real-time monitoring of detainees’ vital health metrics.
The stakes have been set for a bet between Vancouver and Edmonton's mayors on who will win Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
A grieving mother is hosting a helmet drive in the hopes of protecting children on Manitoba First Nations from a similar tragedy that killed her daughter.
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
A P.E.I. lighthouse and a New Brunswick river are being honoured in a Canada Post series.
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.