Upperhill News

 
The Premier of Manitoba, Wab Kinew has tendered an unreserved apology on behalf of indigenous people to the 15-year-old victim of June 10 sword attack in a Brandon school, Chinonso Onuke, and his family.

Kinew, who was accompanied by his Deputy and Health Minister, Uzoma Asagwara, tendered the apology during his visit to the family residence of the victim near Sprucewoods.

Recall that Onuke, a Grade 10 student of École secondaire Neelin High School was attacked last week within the school premises by a 16-year-old student of the same school.

The boy  has however been charged with attempted murder and other offences.

Premier Wab Kinew handed the Premier’s Challenge Coin  to Chinonso in the presence of his twin brother,Chiemeka and other family members.

The coin, bearing a Manitoba bison and Wab Kinew’s name is typically given to certain deserving individuals at the premier’s discretion.


Taking responsibility for the unfortunate incident,  Kinew affirmed he was moved by the sad experience of the young man and his family, coupled with its  anti-Black racism circumstance.

The Premier declared that Manitoba Province is for everyone irrespective of color, adding that the government will always take a firm stand against racism.

“I was very moved by what this young man has been through,” he said. “As premier, and with the minister of health, 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.


“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.”

“As a leader in the community, I apologize on behalf of the Indigenous people for the attack,” Kinew told the family during the nearly 90-minute visit. “I have to do that because I have to take responsibility, ” Kinew stated.

Meanwhile, members of the Nigerian Community in Brandon earlier visited the Onuke family and raised a number of concerns about safety.

The issues were addressed by the Deputy Premier who is also a Nigerian-Canadian addressed those issues during her  visit with the Premier.


In her remarks,  the victim’s mother, Helen Onuke,  showed pictures of her son’s wounds to the Premier and Deputy Premier just as she agreed on the need for broader collaboration across board to ensure safety.