Latest news with #ÉcoleSecondaireNeelinHighSchool
Winnipeg Free Press
11 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Premier offers apology to sword attack survivor
BRANDON — Premier Wab Kinew offered his personal apology Thursday to the 15-year-old victim of last week's sword attack and his family 'on behalf of the Indigenous people.' Kinew, accompanied by Deputy Premier Uzoma Asagwara, visited the family of Chinonso Onuke at their home in Brandon on Thursday morning. He was assaulted by a fellow student at Neelin High School June 10. 'As a leader in the community, I apologize on behalf of the Indigenous people for the attack,' Kinew told them during the nearly 90-minute visit. 'I have to do that because I have to take responsibility.' Matt Goerzen / Brandon Sun Premier Wab Kinew presents École Secondaire Neelin High School Grade 10 student Chinonso Onuke, right, a Premier's Challenge Coin, as his twin brother Chiemeka Onuke watches Thursday. The premier said he felt the need to make the apology because he was moved by the trauma experienced by Chinoso and his family. 'I was very moved by what this young man has been through,' he said. 'As premier, and with (Asagwara), I wanted to come and offer encouragement and support. During our conversation, the family shared some of their experiences with anti-Black racism and I felt it was important to offer my perspective.' Kinew said it's no coincidence that his deputy premier is a Nigerian Canadian. 'We want to send a clear message that this province is for everyone,' he said. 'While the matter is now before the courts and I can't speak to all the specific allegations, I want Nonso, his family and everyone in Manitoba to know that we are moving forward together and that we take a stand against racism whenever we encounter it.' A 16-year-old boy, also a Neelin student, has been charged with attempted murder and other offences. A judge ordered a mental health assessment of the youth at a court appearance this week. Members of the Nigerian community in Brandon visited the Onuke family on Sunday, raising a number of concerns about safety. On Thursday, the deputy premier addressed those issues. 'As a born and raised Nigerian Canadian Manitoban, we have a very strong Nigerian community, a growing Nigerian community here in Manitoba,' Asagwara said. 'Whenever a serious incident or tragedy like this takes place, it's so important that we bring communities together to reassure one another that our province is still welcoming, still loving… Nigerians are valued here.' Asagwara praised the family's resilience. 'The strength and the compassion of the family is remarkable. This is a very smart, very spirited, beautiful young man who is surrounded by love and has a strong community of support around him.' The family was generous to invite the premier and deputy premier into their home to hear about the experience and give their perspective on safety issues, the minister said. Kinew used the visit to emphasize the need for a review of school safety, referencing school resource officers. The Brandon police response to the assault was triggered after an SRO was contacted by a student at the school. 'My thoughts are for this school resource officer, whom I've reached out to but haven't had a chance to connect with directly,' Kinew said, adding he was 'very moved by their professionalism and their swift response, which helped to make sure that a terrible situation did not become worse.' He said the province is open to discussions on broader safety measures. Asked if the government sees a need to implement changes, Kinew said, 'I think it's going to be an ongoing conversation … For me, the overarching principle is 'Every Child Matters,' which means that we need to ensure that every child feels safe.' Helen Onuke, who is Chinonso's mother, agreed that broader collaboration is needed. 'We talked about all stakeholders coming together to discuss,' she told the Brandon Sun. 'Some teachers might have an idea, students have ideas, parents and the city too… just coming together and putting heads together to see how we can make the community safe for everybody.' She described the politicians' visit as 'wonderful' and 'humbling.' 'It's helpful for healing, because it has shown Nonso that the premier is concerned about what's happening, not just with him, but with the entire community,' Onuke said. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Nonso's father, Onyebushi Onuke, noted the outreach from Indigenous individuals in the aftermath of the attack. 'The Indigenous community has been reaching out to me, sending me emails,' he said. 'They are letting me know that this is not part of them… They're promising to come back, to see what they can do to help in this situation.' Kinew gave the family a message of encouragement as the visit drew to a close. 'Hopefully, sharing those words can bring you somewhere,' he told Nonso. 'You have a lot of support… Your example of leadership in the moment, now I know why — it's because you come from a wonderful family.' — Brandon Sun
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Brandon teen accused of sword attack to undergo mental assessment
BRANDON — A Manitoba judge has ordered a mental health assessment on the 16-year-old boy accused of attempted murder in a sword attack on a fellow student at a Brandon high school. Judge Shauna Hewitt-Michta signed an order in Brandon provincial court Tuesday for the accused to receive a forensic assessment for bail purposes. It will be used to determine whether he suffers from a psychological disorder, emotional disturbance, learning disability or mental disability. 'There seems to be a bit of a decline in his mental health in the last several months,' said defence lawyer Anthony Dawson, who was acting on behalf of lawyer Bob Harrison. 'Something seemed to be rather wrong with (the accused), based on what his family had explained to Mr. Harrison.' (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun) Messages of affirmation and support written in chalk cover the sidewalks outside École Secondaire Neelin High School in Brandon after a fifteen-year-old student was attacked by a fellow student with a sword and seriously injured last week. The accused is also charged with uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and disguise with intent. Hewitt-Michta spoke directly to the gallery, which was filled with friends, family and supporters of 15-year-old Chinonso Onuke, the victim of the June 10 attack at Neelin High School. The judge said while the accused didn't appear in court, progress is still being made. 'Maybe it's frustrating because he's not here today, but I just wanted you to know that's not unusual.' She said the youth is in a correctional facility and usually the court doesn't transfer prisoners unless something particularly 'meaningful' will happen in their case. Hewitt-Michta asked observers for their patience regarding a decision. In an interview after the hearing, Onyebuchi Onuke, the victim's father, said he doesn't care how long the process takes as long as the right decisions are made. 'He's a young person… If it's handled very well, by the grace of God, he could change and be of better use to himself and the society in the future.' Onuke said his No. 1 priority is his son's recovery and his second is the rehabilitation of the accused. Regarding the reason for the attack, he said that based on what he has heard from eyewitnesses, 'to some extent, it was racially motivated,' as his son is Black. 'People need to, especially people in Brandon at all levels, they need to know that we are here to live together in peace and to work together without somebody feeling like, 'I'll be discriminated against because of my colour,'' he said. The city's police chief said Monday investigators are exploring possible motives and additional charges are possible. 'The Crown Attorney has received all the witness statements we've collected so far, and there's a close analysis of those investigative materials to ascertain whether or not the attack was ideologically or racially motivated,' Brandon Police Service Chief Tyler Bates said. 'Investigations like this often involve executing search warrants and reviewing materials obtained through those processes. There are still several investigative steps to complete, and we're continuing to consult with the Crown on the relevance of the evidence and whether it supports the possibility of further charges.' About 35 members of Brandon's Black community visited the victim's home on Sunday in a show of solidarity with the family. The United Nigerians in Brandon Association member Calistus Ekenna, who is also a Brandon School Division board trustee, said the community is deeply troubled by the attack and wants to see proactive measures taken to ensure student safety in schools. 'We're hurting, but we're organizing,' he said. 'When an attack like this happens to one of us, it happens to all of us. We cannot ignore this because it deeply disturbs us.' Community safety is a shared responsibility, he said, calling for stronger unity. 'We can all be each other's keeper. As a city, we must grow together and support one another. While the city is hurting, our community is in deep pain, and we want our voices to be heard as we try to heal and move forward.' Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Ekenna said the group plans to send formal communications to the school division, Brandon Police Service and city council. 'There are plans for a community-led presentation to the board,' he said. 'They want to share their suggestions and concerns, and I support that effort.' The group expressed gratitude that Chinonso survived and lauded his courage during the traumatic event. 'We thank God for preserving the life of the victim,' Olaosebikan said. 'From his account, you could see just how brave he was. We're also deeply grateful that no one else was harmed.' — Brandon Sun
