2nd ANNUAL JORDAN WABASSE MEMORIAL AWARD LAUNCHED IN FOLLOW-UP TO JURY RECOMMENDATIONS IN INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF SEVEN FIRST NATIONS YOUTH
THUNDER BAY, ON: The family of the late Jordan Wabasse, Matawa Education & Care Centre and Webequie First Nation Education Authority announced today the launch of the 2ND annual Jordan Wabasse Memorial Awards. The inaugural annual awards started in Webequie First Nation in 2018 on Jordan’s birthday on June 27.
“This scholarship has been established in memory of Jordan Wabasse who sadly was one of the perished seven youth. Jordan loved life, excelled in sports and loved the outdoors. This scholarship not only commemorates Jordan’s memory but also serves a reminder to those of us that we not forget Jordan,” said Sharon Nate, Matawa Education Manager.
Jordan Wabasse was a youth from Webequie First Nation, a student of the Matawa Learning Centre (now Matawa Education & Care Centre), and a dedicated hockey player and hunter whose life tragically ended far too soon in 2011.
As a result of this tragedy and six other tragedies in Thunder Bay, the Seven Youth Inquest was held in which 124 recommendations were made for improvements in education for remote First Nations youth attending high schools in Thunder Bay. Twenty-four (24) of those recommendations were directed to the Matawa Learning Centre (now MECC) including this award in Jordan’s honour. In continuation of the implementation of recommendations from this Inquest, MECC are meeting today in Ottawa with the joint Political Table which brings all parties of the inquest together for high level discussions.
As a collaboration between Jordan’s family and community, Matawa First Nations leadership and Ontario, the annual Jordan Wabasse Memorial Awards establishes 6 awards totaling a $1000 each for 3 students who excel in Athletics and another 3 students who excel in Outdoor Education. They will be distributed to graduating Matawa students attending Simon Jacob Memorial Education Centre in Webequie First Nation, Matawa Education and Care Centre in Thunder Bay, and a Provincial High School in Thunder Bay. Eligible students are encouraged to apply by June 7, 2019. Applications are available on the Matawa First Nations facebook page.