First Nations man killed in Kenora OPP shooting remembered as avid outdoorsman, generous as SIU investigates

A man shot and killed by an Ontario Provincial Policeofficer in Kenoraearlier this week is being described by his family and First Nation as an avid outdoorsman who shared his harvest.

Bruce Wallace Frogg was a member of Wawakapewin, an Oji-CreeFirst Nation andremote fly-in community about 350 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout.

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Frogg, who was in his 50s. The SIU isan independent government agency tasked with investigating police conduct thatmay have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

Kenora OPPlocated a man with knives at Anicinabe Park in Kenora around 12:40 p.m. Tuesday. An officer shot him after the man set fire to a building, the SIU said in a statement issued Wednesday.

The man, identified by his community as Bruce, was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"Three investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. The post-mortem is scheduled for Saturday. One subject official and seven witness officials have been designated at this time," the release said.

WATCH | Fire breaks out at Anicinabe Park in Kenora:

RAW: Fire at Anicinabe Park office in Kenora, Ont.

2 months ago

Duration 0:55

Fire crews in Kenora, Ont., are working to put out what officials are calling a "significant fire" at the store at Anicinabe Park. Rachel Hall was there and sent CBC News this video.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but the building was a total loss.

"Bruce can be remembered by his teachings and stories about the land," says a statement issued Wednesday from Wawakapewin First Nation. He was related to Wawakapewin's Chief AnneMarie Beardy,and leaves behind siblings, children and many relatives.

Days before Frogg'sdeath, Anicinabe Park looked much different; people gathered there to mark National Indigenous Peoples Dayand the 50th anniversary of the park's occupation by young First Nations people protesting for better living conditions, educationand access to land.

'I was very, extremely proud of him'

Joshua Frogg, Bruce's older brother, said he and his siblings played hockey together growing up, and spenta lot of time on the land. He described Bruce as an expert hunter and outdoorsman who always shared his bounty with others.

Bruce overcame much adversity, being a survivor of convicted ex-priest and scoutmasterRalph Rowe, and dealing with addiction, Joshua said. Bruce's family members, including his father and other siblings, attended residential school.

We love him, we will miss him, and he was a caring, generous person who provided for the community, for the elders.- Joshua Frogg, Bruce's brother

Bruce had been sober for overa year and was living at a halfway house in Kenora, said Joshua, who visited him as much as he could.

"I was very, extremely proud of him. He's come a long way," said Joshua, the band administrator for Wapekeka First Nation.

"We love him, we will miss him, and he was a caring, generous person who provided for the community, for the elders."

Tragedy could have been prevented

Kiiwetinoong MPP Sol Mamakwa said the stark contrast between the ceremony at Anicinabe Park on Friday and what happened there this week is hard to bear.

"Days later, in the same spot, you kill one of us. It doesn't feel good," Mamakwa said.

Mamakwa extended his condolences to Bruce's friends and family. His death is another reminder of the need for better mental health supports for First Nations peopleand de-escalation training for police, he said.

"When we talk about First Nations people not being treated with the same care by the police I'm always [of] the belief that this tragedy that happened was preventable."

He said he hopes the SIU investigation provides answers for the family.

Superior Morning8:06Ed Mandamin: 50th anniversary of the Anicinabe Park Occupation in Kenora

Kenora is marking the 50th anniversary of the Anicinabe Park Occupation this National Indigenous Peoples Day.Hear about the gathering taking place tomorrow and why its so significant.

Strain on resources

Nearly a quarter of Kenora's population is Indigenous, according to the 2021 census.

Patti Fairfield, executive director of the Ne-Chee Friendship Centre in Kenora, saidthere are mental health services in the city, but staff shortages are putting a strain on resources.

"If you're dealing with somebody in a crisis situation it's not likefive to 10 minutes;sometimes it can take a long time,which just puts a backlog on other individuals who are needing to see these types of workers," Fairfield said.

"It's like a domino effect of how the resources are here, but there's not enough manpower to cover what is needed here."

The city is a central hub for justice and health-care services, but when wait times are long, people may fall through the cracks, she said.

"Even though we're trying to do the best that we can to support people,at the end of the day, there's still people out there that aren't getting what they need," Fairfield said.

Creating supportive spaces

Elauna Boutwell is involved with Kenora Moving Forward, agrassroots coalition that helps the city's most vulnerable people. She hasheard a lot of concerns following Bruce's deathand said it can be challenging for people to know where to go for help.

There's also the issue of stigma; CBC News observed a number of graphic and racially charged comments on social media in response to the incident at Anicinabe Park, andBoutwell saidthat may deter others from seeking help.

Mamakwa also called those comments "disturbing and very disappointing."

"It creates this really unsafe environment to be open about and their mental health challenges or their addiction challenges," Boutwell said.

She wants to see more wraparound support in the community that empowers people with a stronger sense of self-worth.

"Part of that's creating safe spaces, trusting relationships, rapport with counsellors or whoever, so that it's not just in those crisis moments when we're interacting with individuals, but we can be creating this whole environment around someone so that it is safe for them to reach out," Boutwell said.

The SIU urges anyone who may have information about the investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online.

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

Kenora & Northwestern Ontario Resources:

• Kenora Makwa Patrol Help Line: (807) 464-SAFE (7233) Open 24/7. Support program that helps connect vulnerable populations to services in Kenora.
• Kenora Chiefs Advisory Crisis Services: (807) 468-8144, ask for intake. Available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for people in Kenora and surrounding First Nations.
• Thunder Bay Crisis Response: (807) 346-8282 Open 24/7 to anyone from Kenora east to Wawa. Access trained crisis response workers by calling, texting or chatting online via the CMHA website.
• Nishnawbe Aski Mental Health and Addictions Support Access Program 1-844-NAN-HOPE (626-4673) Open 24/7. Crisis support phone line for NAN members.

Canada-Wide Resources:

• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Text or call 9-8-8 for mental health support. Open 24/7.
• Hope for Wellness: 1-855-242-3310 Open 24/7. Provides free phone and live online chat counselling on the website for Indigenous people. Support available in Ojibway (Anishinaabemowin), Cree and Inuktitut upon request.
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Open 24/7. Free phone and live chat counselling on the website for youth in Canada.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.

This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.