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 Police officer in Kenora earlier 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-Cree First Nation and remote 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 is an independent government agency tasked with investigating police conduct that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

Kenora OPP located 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.

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's death, Anicinabe Park looked much different; people gathered there to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day and the 50th anniversary of the park's occupation by young First Nations people protesting for better living conditions, education and access to land.

Joshua Frogg, Bruce's older brother, said he and his siblings played hockey together growing up, and spent a 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 scoutmaster Ralph Rowe, and dealing with addiction, Joshua said. Bruce's family members, including his father and other siblings, attended residential school.

Bruce had been sober for over a 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."