Family of Regina teen marches to Saskatoon, demands inquest into his death

Eight years after the death of her son, a Regina mother is still searching for answers.

Richelle Dubois is the mother of Haven Dubois, who was found drowned in an east Regina creek in May 2015.

The 14-year-old’s death was ruled an accident by the coroner, but Dubois still suspects there was foul play.

“They feel they have done a proper investigation. I feel differently,” she said Saturday.

On Saturday, Dubois organized a march from Regina to Saskatoon to raise awareness of her son’s death. The “March for Justice” is being done with the intention of bringing about three goals:

• A commission of inquiry into matters related to Haven’s death;
• A special investigation into school negligence contributing to his death; and
• A national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous men and boys.

“Our men and boys are being forgotten about when we are advocating for our people,” Dubois said. “I feel like we need to put just as much effort into our men and boys (as we do) our women.”

On the anniversary of Haven’s death, family and friends gathered at Coleman Park in Regina near the creek where he was found.

They began their march to the Saskatchewan Children’s Advocate office in Saskatoon. The group also plans to meet with the chief coroner and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.

“We wanted to meet here and then we will be going through the city of Regina today and then within the next coming days we’ll be going north on Highway 11 to Saskatoon,” Richelle said.

On June 6, which is Haven’s birthday, another walk is planned — one that will go all the way to Ottawa. Walkers will leave from the same place as the march to Saskatoon.

“We’ll be taking it national at that point,” Richelle said.

Dubois hopes to take the matter to the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa.

“It’s been a long eight years and I’m willing to do this for the rest of my life until we get a proper investigation into our son Haven’s murder,” she said.

Dubois said she has spoken with chief coroner Clive Weighill and noted they have a meeting scheduled. As of Saturday, she’s still waiting to hear back from the FSIN and the children’s advocate.