NAN leaders issue state of emergency because of drug fueled crisis

First Nation leaders in northern Ontario are declaring a state of emergency over the flow of illegal drugs and resulting deaths in their communities. The move comes following what the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) says was a drug-related shooting that unfolded in Ginoogaming First Nation, located 300 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont. The community was placed under a “shelter in place” order on Wednesday morning as members of the Ontario Provincial Police searched for two armed men. The advisory has now been lifted. Police say one person is dead and another injured. According to the Nishnawbe Aski Police, there was a 300 per cent increase in cocaine and fentanyl seizures between 2023 and 2024. “It’s come to the point, in some cases, where our chiefs and councils feel like they’re losing control of their community because we have outsiders coming in from Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto and elsewhere, taking over the communities by fear and intimidation,” said NAN Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler. Read More:  Opioid deaths among First Nations in Ontario remain higher than rest of population, new report finds  Ginoogaming First Nation declared the state of emergency about a year and a half ago but little has been done since to address the crisis, said Chief Sheri Taylor at a press conference Thursday. “We have so much that we love and care for in our community. We have our young children and our youth — they need to feel safe in their own communities,” said Taylor. “Right now, we’re not feeling that way.” Taylor urged the federal and Ontario governments to immediately provide a service delivery model that would give more resources to Indigenous communities to address the drug crisis. “We are not going to sit back and just let this underground world of drugs and violence take over our community anymore,” said Taylor. “These are unprecedented times we’re dealing with.” Taylor reissued a call for action on that state of emergency following Wednesday’s homicide in the community of roughly 200 people. “It is absolutely tragic that the young life of one of our members has been taken and another one has been injured,” she said. “The two outstanding armed and dangerous individuals continuing to be at large is a major concern and we urge anyone with any information (or who knows of their current whereabouts) to report it to the OPP. Taylor had a message for her community members. “If you continue to harbour criminals and gangs. Continue to sell the drugs to our kids, you will be banned from the community and you will have to leave,” she said. Fiddler added that Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Mark Carney “have responsibilities that they need to live up to.” “What we are calling on Canada and Ontario is to help us equip our leadership with the resources that they need and the tools that they will need to take back control of their communities,” he said. With files from the Canadian Press. Continue Reading