First Nations wait on jury representation report

A long-awaited report examining a lack of First Nations representation on juries in Ontario is set to be released Tuesday in Thunder Bay.

A year and a half ago, the Ontario government appointed retired Supreme Court of Canada justice Frank Iacobucci to investigate why so few jurors were members of First Nations communities.

The Ontario government appointed retired Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci to investigate a lack of First Nations representation on juries. (CBC)

Justice Iacobucci is expected to outline his recommendations on how to ensure First Nations are represented on juries.

'Terrible injustice'

The recommendations can't come soon enough for Marlene Pierre, a member of the Fort William First Nation.

Five years ago, Pierre's 27-year-old grandson, Jacy Pierre, died at the Thunder Bay District Jail.

An inquest into his death was stayed because there was no Aboriginal representation on the jury.

"My daughter and I, we left. We walked out of the inquest," said Pierre.

Marlene Pierre's 27-year-old grandson Jacy Pierre died at the Thunder Bay District Jail. An inquest into his death was stayed because there was no Aboriginal representation on the jury. (Ron Desmoulins/CBC)

A new inquest into Jacy Pierre's death is expected to start sometime this year and Pierre wants to make sure First Nations people are on the jury.

"We feel that a terrible injustice is being done to Aboriginal people," said Pierre. "And if we can have some impact on that, then fine."

Lack of credibility

Concern about First Nations representation on juries also arose during inquests into the deaths of First Nations students in Thunder Bay.

The Deputy Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations in northern Ontario, said the justice system is failing Aboriginal communities.

"I think it's very important that a representative from one of our communities be there ... in order for the families... to see it as a credible process," said Alvin Fiddler.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says the justice system is failing Aboriginal communities. (Nicole Ireland/CBC)

The lack of Aboriginal representation also means that First Nations people charged with crimes are denied their right to be heard by a jury of their peers, added Fiddler.

"If you go to trial, you're to be tried by [a] jury of your peers. And I think for many of our community members ... if they go to trial and it's a jury trial, chances are they won't see a member of their community as part of that jury."

Fiddler said he hopes the recommendations Iacobucci puts forward will change that.

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