Nickel Belt News Volume 60 • Issue 27
Friday, July 3, 2020
Thompson, Manitoba
Serving the Norman Region since 1961
Death of man who was detained in Oxford House RCMP cell was result of meningitis, police watchdog finds Manitoba’s police watchdog agency has concluded that actions by Oxford House RCMP did not contribute to the death of a man who died in Winnipeg March 28, two days after being found unresponsive but breathing in the detachment’s cells. The man who died was arrested on the morning of March 26 at the Oxford
House nursing station for causing a disturbance while he was highly intoxicated. He was placed in one of the cells and, during a prisoner check at 5:48 p.m., was observed to be unresponsive but still breathing. He was transported back to the nursing station. Officers who spoke to the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU), which investi-
gates all serious incidents involving on- or off-duty police in the province, said nursing station staff gave them no indication that the man’s condition was serious and said they would contact police if the man became violent. On March 30, RCMP received a phone call from the Bunibonibee Cree Nation chief informing them that
the man had died March 28 at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. His cause of death was identified as bacterial meningitis, an outbreak of which was affecting the community at the time, according to nursing station staff. The IIU did not find any evidence that any force was applied to the man when he was arrested or that he had
injured himself while in the cell. The man’s medical records did show that he had been hit in the head with a hammer on March 11. “In summary, this inves-
tigation has determined that there is no causal connection between any act or omission by the RCMP and the subsequent death,” the IIU concluded.
Death of woman in Pukatawagan being investigated as homicide: RCMP BY ERIC WESTHAVER FLIN FLON REMINDER
RCMP in Pukatawagan are investigating the death of a 22-year-old woman as
a homicide. The woman was found in a wooded area June 26 around 8 p.m. and reported to Pukatawagan RCMP. The death is
being considered suspicious by police, who are now seeking any additional information in the case. Manitoba RCMP Ma-
jor Crime Services are investigating the incident along with local RCMP. Anyone with information relating to the
death is asked to contact Pukatawagan RCMP at 204-553-2343. If suspicions are confirmed, the case would be the second homicide
in the community this year. Two people were arrested in relation to the death of a 23-yearold man in Pukatawagan Jan. 4.
Provincial travel restrictions to Northern Manitoba lifted CASSIDY DANKOCHIK FLIN FLON REMINDER
For the first time since April 16, travel above the 53rd parallel from the south is fully allowed in Manitoba. Public health orders posted to the Manitoba government’s website June 26 made the change official, effective immedi-
ately. Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial health officer, and Health Minister Cameron Friesen approved the end of the travel ban. The change was also announced in the provincial government’s daily COVID-19 news release. “I have determined that conditions have evolved
and the prohibitions and restrictions contained in the order are not currently required,” it reads. All non-essential travel to Northern Manitoba from southern Manitoba was restricted April 17 by a provincial health order. Exemptions to the rule were eventually created for southerners heading
north to camp, but only if they travelled directly to their campsite or cabin. The order was last updated June 18. Travel to southern Manitoba from the north was not recommended, but allowed before June 26. The public health orders still outline the need for travellers to respect local
rules, such as restrictions enacted by First Nations communities. Such restrictions, including checkpoints at northern communities like Cross Lake, are not affected by the rule change and will remain up at the discretion of First Nations. Additional changes to health orders announced
June 26 include allowing individuals who are self-isolating because of travel to visit relatives with life-threatening diseases if the institution allows it. Up-to-date changes to Manitoba’s public health orders can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/ soe.html.