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.
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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
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