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Kenora, ON — On Wednesday, October 30, Hunter Haze Straight-Smith was violently attacked in his sleep at his home and suffered life threatening injuries.  On Saturday, Hunter’s family shared to the public that he had been taken off life support and passed away in the presence of his family. 

“I want to extend my deepest condolences to Hunter Haze Straight-Smith family.  An innocent child has been taken from his family, extended family and his community. I also want to acknowledge the efforts of first responders and health staff at the Health Sciences Centre who worked to help Hunter,” said  Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh.  “The Treaty #3 leadership and I are all shocked and saddened to learn of the violent circumstances that led to his tragic passing.  As a father, grandfather and as a leader, I want to acknowledge that all our children need us and we need to do more to keep them safe.  As leaders we need to condemn all forms of violence and initiate an action plan which involves all levels of government to address violence.” 

Indigenous women are three times more likely to experience domestic violence than non-Indigenous women and Statistics Canada (1996, 2001) state that Indigenous men are seven times more likely than non-Indigenous males to be victims of homicide.  Violence has become epidemic across the genders and effects everyone: men, women, children, youth and Two-spirited.  The National Inquiry Final Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls made 231 Calls to Justice and the Inquiry’s report cannot just gather dust on a shelf. 

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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Office of the Ogichidaa, Kristine Reynard at (807) 548-4214 or Kristine.reynard@treaty3.ca