In the fourth day of the coroner’s inquiry into the 2020 death of Kevin Mamakwa, a 27‑year‑old Indigenous man from Kingfisher Lake First Nation, witnesses highlighted the dire conditions at Thunder Bay Jail . the testimony, delivered by former Native Inmate Liaison Officer Cindy Crowe and cell mate Jamie DaCosta, paints a picture of overcrowding, racism, and inadequate heath services that may have contributed to Mamakwa’s death.

Crowe’s Account of a 100‑Year‑Old Jail’s Physical and Racial Climate

Cindy Crowe, an Elder and Lodge Keeper from Red Rock Indian Band who served as a Native Inmate Liaison Officer in 2020, described the facility as a 100‑year‑old building with “severe space constraints,concrete stairs and floors.” She noted that up to 75 percent of inmates were Indigenous and that officers routinely complained about the smell of traditional medicines while ignoring marijuana smoke. Crowe said the treatment of Indigenous inmates sent a message that their humanness and sovereignty were not recognized, and she expressed disappointment that conditions had not improved deespite a planned new facility.

DaCosta’s Handwritten Note Reveals a Systemic Failure to Respond

Jamie DaCosta, Mamakwa’s former cell mate, testified via a handwritten note and an audio recording. He explained that the two were quarantined together during the COVID‑19 pandemic, that Mamakwa was sick, sleep‑deprived, and had mood swings, and that he lacked access to his prescribed suboxone for opioid use disorder. daCosta described finding Mamakwa’s body in their cell after returning from the washroom and said it took 10 to 20 minutes for officers to respond to his calls for help. His note read, “I was in fear in the back of my cell waiting for help. I couldn’t do a thing, I’m sorry.”

Systemic Issues Highlighted by the Inquest

The inquest’s findings echo broader concerns about the treatment of Indigenous inmates in Canada. According to the report, the jail’s overcrowded conditions, lack of mental‑health care, and systemic racism may have played a role in Mamakwa’s death. The testimony also underscored the failure of correctional staff to provide timely assistance, a point that has been raised in previous inquiries into Indigenous deaths in custody.

Open Questions About the Response to Mamakwa’s Suffering

While the inquest has shed light on many aspects of the case, several specific unanswered points remain. who exactly was responsible for ensuring Mamakwa received his suboxone prescription? What protocols were in place for responding to inmates’ medical emergencies during the pandemic, and why did it take 10 to 20 minutes for officers to arrive? And how will the facility’s planned new construction address the systemic issues that persisted in the 100‑year‑old building?