CKRW File Photo
WHITEHORSE, YT – The Coroner’s Inquest into the deaths of four Indigenous women at the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter from January 2022 to April 2023, has begun at the Gold Rush Inn, in downtown Whitehorse. The Inquest is independent of the Yukon Government, and was initiated by the Office of the Yukon Coroner’s Service as a matter of public interest to clarify the facts and circumstances of the deaths at the shelter.
Preceding Coroner Michael Eglison will hear the details surrounding the deaths of 35-year-old Cassandra Warville and 34-year-old Myranda Aleisha Dawn Tizya-Charlie, both citizens of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation, as well as 38-year-old Josephine Elizabeth Hager of the Selkirk First Nation, and 52-year-old Darla Skookum of Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation.
All four women were clients of the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter at the time of their deaths, which were reported separately over a period of 1.5 years. The deaths of Warville and Tizya-Charlie were reported on January 19th, 2022, Hager on February 1st, 2023, and Skookum on April 16th, 2023.
The Yukon Government held a press conference ahead of the proceedings announcing increased supports available for Yukoners during the inquest, and outlining their next steps. Premier Ranj Pillai said the families deserved to hear an apology that came directly from the Premier’s mouth, and he committed to accepting the findings and recommendations of the Coroner’s Inquest, whatever they may be.
“If the government is apologizing to a family for the loss, I think it should be coming from the Premier’s office. And I think that the ultimate responsibility and accountability should be coming from the Premier’s office. And that’s what the people that we represent, should expect from us and from government.” – Premier Ranj Pillai
The Premier, and Deputy Premier, also warned that there are underlying systematic issues that will not be addressed within the scope of the inquest, but the Premier says that Government has already been engaged with their community partners to address these shortfalls, and will incorporate the findings of this inquest into that ongoing work
“Well, I think we’ve touched on the fact that there’s some areas that won’t be focused on that need to be. But again, those are areas that we have been working on. And I think we’re just going to continue to do that work with a number of other organizations that we need to have as partners… And our teams know that we’re going to be moving very quick to look through it, understand it, and operationalize it with a realistic response. That we can make some tangible change with quickly and respectfully. And when I say respectful, I mean respect to the families that are going through the next month of this.” – Premier Ranj Pillai
A cultural safe space has been made available at the Gold Rush Inn for family members seeking respite from the proceedings. The CYFN will also be on-site with space and supports available for families. The Sternwheeler Hotel boardrooms will be host to cultural activities and supports, and serves as a public access point to watch the livestream of proceedings.
During the Coroner’s Inquest, more in-person and virtual rapid access counseling sessions have been made available for all Yukoners. They can be reached by calling the intake line at 867-456-3838.
In Carmacks, Pelly Crossing, and Old Crow, local social workers have been placed on standby to support community members as needed.
In-person counsellors will be available in Carmacks from April 17th, 18th and 19th, and again on April 22nd and 23rd. In Pelly Crossing, in-person counseling will be available April 10th through the 12th. In Old Crow, a social worker will be available in the community from April 8th through to the 26th.
