Lynette Kakakaway's brother Travis and Keeseekoose band councillor Clarisse Straightnose stand outside the Coronet Hotel. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Unresolved questions

Kakakaway inquest cancelled, family pursues own lawyer

Sep 16, 2025 | 12:52 PM

A coroner’s inquest in Prince Albert has come to an abrupt halt.

Lynnette Kakaway’s family claim they were only informed Monday what was happening, saying they wish to be represented by their own lawyer and also have other grief supports in the room.

Travis Kakakaway, Lynette’s brother, and Clarisse Straightnose, a band councillor at Keeseekoose First Nation, drove over three hours to attend Tuesday’s hearing at Prince Albert’s Coronet Hotel.

“It’s not only for my peace of mind, it’s for her children that contacted me, want to know what happened to their mother. And the younger one wants to know where her mom is, so that’s kind of heartbreaking,” Travis told paNOW.

Kakakaway, who was on remand at the Pine Grove Correctional Centre, passed away on June 24, 2022. As per testimony heard on Monday, there were complications related to an opioid withdrawal and her cellmate had described her as being “dope sick.”

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Lynette Kakakaway had two children. (Andrychuk Funeral Home.com)

This week’s inquest had been announced publicly last month, and a representative for the Ministry told paNOW she began making attempts to contact family as far back as June.

In an attempt to proceed with the scheduled inquest, presiding coroner Aaron Fox offered Travis the option to ask questions through the coroner’s counsel or the Elizabeth Fry society which works closely with inmates at Pine Grove. When asked why he turned down those options, Travis said he does not feel he will get a fair say without legal counsel.

He also acknowledged the reason why he could not be contacted, was because he was in jail. Lynette’s mother and sister have also passed away.

“I don’t feel like the efforts were good,” he said.

Straightnose noted that a rally was held last weekend in the community to raise awareness for the people whose deaths have not been explained and that included Kakakaway.

“It’s 2025 now and First Nations people are getting a little bit more knowledgeable in what’s accessible to us and one thing that he can access is a lawyer. He’ll have peace knowing that he followed the steps that are put in place for him, and without that person standing with him in the inquest, he’s not accessing what he’s entitled to access through the whole process,” she said.

Straightnose also questioned why band leadership was not contacted.

“They need to do a lot better in reaching out to the nation because we represent over 2,500 people and we’re elected to be the representative and if somebody sends us a letter stating they need the immediate family of Lynette Kakakaway, I’m sure all of us counsel would have made the effort to go and find that family, regarding an inquest,” she said.

Aaron Fox advised the six-person jury that Tuesday’s decision is similar to a mistrial and so now a new inquest date will have to be chosen with a new jury. Noting the jury members who had taken time away from work and family commitments, he thanked them for their service.

“I’m sorry for this,” he said.

Acknowledging a new inquest could take a year or more, Straightnose said getting the right answers the family needs for peace is more important.

A statement from the Ministry of Justice was sent to paNOW by email.

“The Coroners Service makes every effort possible to provide notice to families of the deceased about upcoming inquests and support any necessary arrangements for them to attend in person,” they said.

“The Coroners Service is working to reschedule the inquest into the death of Lynette Kakakaway as quickly as possible.”

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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