The family of 16-year-old Ojibway girl Eishia Hudson, who was shot and killed by a Winnipeg police officer in April 2020, is calling for a broad public inquiry into other Indigenous deaths in encounters with police.
Family seeks broader probe after inquest
William Hudson, Eishia’s father, told reporters he wants his daughter’s name to catalyse change rather than be “just a headline.” The call for a wider inquiry came after an inquest into Eishia’s death, which wrapped up last week, examined the particulars of the incident and whether systemic racism or the police use of force played a part.
"What I hope to come out of this is my daughter's name to be more than just a headline," said William Hudson.
The inquest considered the circumstances of the April 8, 2020, shooting and the actions of the officers involved. An agreed statement of facts presented during the hearings says Eishia was among a group of teenagers who robbed a Liquor Mart earlier that day. The statement says one of the teens threatened to stab a security guard before the group fled in a stolen Jeep driven by Eishia.
Family and legal team want systemic answers
Lawyer Lindsay LeBlanc, who represented the family at the inquest, said the push for a broader public inquiry is motivated by the desire to identify common factors in other deaths that could help prevent similar tragedies. The inquest process, she said, looked only at the single incident involving Eishia; a wider review, she argued, could address patterns and systemic issues across cases.
The inquest judge is expected to deliver a final report with recommendations within six months, according to court timelines disclosed during the hearings. The family’s call for a public inquiry asks provincial authorities to consider a larger-scale investigation that would examine deaths of Indigenous people in police encounters across jurisdictions.
What the family is asking for
At the news conference, representatives for the family outlined the broad intent behind their demand: to move beyond examining a single case toward understanding systemic factors and ensuring meaningful reform where necessary. They say lessons from Eishia’s death should inform policy changes to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
- Request for a provincial public inquiry into Indigenous deaths involving police
- Desire to identify systemic patterns and recommend preventative measures
- Expectation of a final inquest report within six months that may inform next steps
Context from the inquest
The inquest into Eishia Hudson’s death reviewed whether systemic racism was a factor and whether the police use of force was appropriate. While the inquest focused on the facts and circumstances specific to the April 2020 incident, the family and their legal team say a public inquiry could take a broader, comparative approach across multiple cases.
| Date | Detail |
|---|---|
| April 8, 2020 | Eishia Hudson shot and killed by a Winnipeg police officer |
| 2026 (inquest concluded) | Inquest hearings wrapped up last week; final report expected within six months |
Calls for broader scrutiny of deaths involving police and Indigenous people have been raised in other jurisdictions and contexts, with advocates arguing that public inquiries can reveal systemic gaps and lead to policy and training reforms. The Hudson family’s appeal adds to ongoing conversations in Manitoba about policing, accountability and reconciliation.
As the inquest report is prepared, the family has asked governments to consider launching a public inquiry that would assess multiple cases and propose measures to reduce the likelihood of future deaths in police encounters. The timeline and scope of any provincial response remain to be determined.
This story will be updated as officials respond or provide further details on whether a public inquiry will be initiated.
