THUNDER BAY — An inquest into the death of Indigenous artist Moses Amik Beaver is now scheduled to take place in Thunder Bay next month.
Beaver, from Nibinamik First Nation, died in Thunder Bay hospital in February 2017 after being transferred from the Thunder Bay Jail.
He was 56 years old.
Beaver had been experiencing mental health issues prior to being taken into custody.
Nibinamik Chief Johnny Yellowhead said the artist struggled for years to get the treatment he needed.
In a statement following his death, he said "we demand to know why this didn't happen."
The inquest was previously scheduled for 2019, then postponed to 2020, before being postponed again because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion will be the presiding inquest officer.
Proceedings will begin on April 17 and are expected to take about three weeks to complete, as the jury is scheduled to hear from approximately 32 witnesses.
Members of the public may attend in person at the Ontario government building at 189 Red River Road, or view the proceedings live online.
