First Nations student deaths inquest: Alvin Fiddler wants it to go one step further

The Grand Chief of theNishnwabeAskiNation says he wants to add an extra phase to the First Nations student deaths inquest.

The inquest began in October and is scheduled to wrap up in March, but Alvin Fiddler says he expects there'll be more work to be done.

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The first phase of the inquest looked at the details of each of the seven student deaths.

The second phase of the inquest in February will see experts weighing in on ways to keep First Nations students safe in Thunder Bay.

Jurors will make their recommendations for preventing future deaths in March.

After the pain students families have been through Fiddler told CBC News he's like to see the inquest add a fourth phase, for implementation.

"Those recommendations need to mean something to those families, those communities," he said.

"We owe it to them and we owe it to the memories of those young students that we will ensure there is follow-through to those recommendations."

Ontario's provincial advocate for children and youth said he supports the idea of a fourth phase.

Irwin Elman said it could prevent an unfortunately common result.

"I thought it was a brilliant idea, frankly," Elman said.

"There has been a lot of worry about inquests and the recommendations they generate falling on deaf ears."

The inquest resumes next week when experts are expected to begin testifying about ways to keep First Nations students safe in the city.