The Saskatchewan Coroners Service (SCS) will hold a public inquest from January 15 to January 26, 2024 at the Kerry Vickar Centre, 206 Bemister Avenue East, Melfort, SK in relation to the 11 deaths that occurred on the James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon, Saskatchewan on September 4, 2022.
The first day of the inquest is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Subsequent start times will be determined by the presiding coroner. If additional time is required for the inquest, the week of January 29 to February 2 has also been reserved.
Media attending the inquest are asked to become accredited through the Saskatchewan Courts. Members of the media must be accredited to attend court proceedings in the province if they wish to audio record for accurate reporting and provide social media updates from the courtroom. The application form must be accompanied by a recent criminal record check, a letter from the employer or news agency affirming the need for a media identification card and a digital photo. Completed applications can be emailed to justiceEPO@gov.sk.ca for processing.
Please also separately RSVP your attendance to Ariane Whiting by Monday, January 8, 2024 by email or phone.
The coroners service will do its best to provide seating for media in the inquest hall but ask that media be understanding that the families of victims, survivors, and community members are the first priority. If capacity is reached in the auditorium at the Kerry Vickar Centre, there will be overflow seating in the gym with the proceedings being live streamed to that location.
Please note that Wi-Fi will be available at the centre; however, the coroners service cannot guarantee the level of bandwidth available in each room. If there is an issue, it is recommended that media use the hotspots on their phones as an alternative connection. Media is responsible for bringing their own power supply. The use of cameras is not permitted throughout the centre or in the gym. Media will be allowed into the building one-hour prior to the public (approximately 8:30 a.m.) in order to set up on January 15, 2024. Media outlets can use this time to take a few photos of the empty space, as long as there are no exhibits or people in the photographs.
Two adjoining rooms in the centre will be set up with tables and chairs and made available to reporters as a workspace. Each room can accommodate approximately 15 people. The inquest proceedings will not be live streamed into either of these rooms and can only be viewed in the centre or the gym.
A wellness area will also be available for anyone attending the inquest that requires emotional support in the event they are triggered by the evidence presented or witness statements made during the proceedings. We ask that media be mindful and respectful of the survivors, witnesses and the families involved and use a trauma-informed approach when requesting information and potential interviews from those attending or participating in the inquest.