Press Releases

Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg, MB (December 23, 2025) – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) confirms that today it has been granted standing in the provincial inquest into the death of William Walter Ahmo, a citizen of Sagkeeng First Nation who died while in custody at the Headingley Correctional Centre in February 2021.

The AMC will participate in the inquest to advance a First Nations-specific, distinctions-based systemic perspective on the circumstances surrounding Mr. Ahmo’s death, with a focus on accountability, institutional responsibility, and preventing further deaths of First Nations people in custody.

AMC Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said, “The AMC sought standing in this inquest to ensure that the death of William Ahmo is examined through a First Nations-specific, systemic lens. Far too many First Nations people have died in custody, and these deaths cannot be treated as isolated incidents. This inquest must result in real accountability and concrete changes to prevent further loss of life.”

The inquest was called under The Fatality Inquiries Act to examine the circumstances of Mr. Ahmo’s death and to make recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future. As a party granted standing, AMC will be able to participate in the proceedings, including presenting evidence, questioning witnesses, and making submissions on systemic issues affecting First Nations people in correctional settings.

This case carries particular significance for First Nations leadership in Manitoba, both because of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Ahmo’s death and the broader context in which it has unfolded.

AMC’s involvement in the Ahmo inquest builds on its long-standing justice mandates, including advancing the implementation of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and the MMIWG Calls for Justice, as well as its ongoing work through the Manitoba Tripartite Table on Justice. This work reflects the sustained leadership of AMC on deaths in custody and justice reform and honours the legacy of the late Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, whose advocacy helped shape the path toward accountability that continues today.

For more information, please contact:
Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email:  media@manitobachiefs.com
 
About the Assembly of Manitoba ChiefsThe AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of all 63 First Nations in Manitoba, with a total of more than 151,000 First Nations citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 per cent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Nehetho / Ininew (Cree), Anishininew (Ojibwe-Cree), Denesuline (Dene) and Dakota Oyate (Dakota) people.