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Ontario First Nation declares state of emergency due to gang and addiction crises
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Ontario First Nation declares state of emergency due to gang and addiction crises

Liam Casey, Canadian Press

TORONTO — A First Nation in northern Ontario declared a state of emergency Tuesday because of concurrent crises involving crime, gang activity, addiction and mental health issues that have plagued the community for years.

The Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nation has asked the province and federal government for police and mental health help, Chief Louis Kwissiwa said at a press conference at Queen’s Park.

“Organized crime and drug trafficking have created an ever-growing crisis in our community,” Kwissiwa said.

“Addiction, violence and trauma are spreading. Overdoses are on the rise. Mental health crises are pushing our resources to breaking point.”

The First Nation, about 350 kilometers north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., is $5 million in debt after trying for several years to fix the problems, the chief said. They installed security cameras, bought license plate readers and brought in outside security in case of emergency.

“Our 911 call rate per capita is 35 times higher than the City of Thunder Bay,” Kwissiwa said.

Suicides, addictions and untreated mental health issues are on the rise in the community, he added.

“We cannot continue to bear this crisis alone,” Kwissiwa said.

“We are calling on the federal and provincial governments, law enforcement agencies and health services to act now.”

The nearest detox and treatment beds are a four-hour drive away in Sault Ste. Marie or Thunder Bay, Ont.

“Without immediate intervention, more lives will be lost and the fabric of our community will continue to crumble,” said Joe Moses, CEO of the First Nation.

He said 64 of the community’s 121 homes have some type of substance use inside, a figure that has risen in recent years with predatory gangs lurking around with drugs.

There are at least three such gangs within the community, Moses said. There were violent home invasions, stabbings and human trafficking, he said.

Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg, with an on-reserve population of around 400, has to wait at least 45 minutes for police, fire or ambulance response in an emergency.

The First Nation has completed a proposal for the resources it needs for a community detoxification, treatment and aftercare program.

“We just want to be heard and understood and have some partners come to the table and help us execute these plans,” Kwissiwa said.

The nearby Anishinabek Police Department has struggled with staffing and has only five officers available, Moses said. An Ontario Provincial Police detachment is supposed to supplement Anishinabek police services, but the OPP is also struggling with staffing, he said.

Sol Mamakwa, deputy leader of the NDP and the only First Nations representative in the Ontario legislature, brought up the issue in question period Tuesday and asked if the province would help.

“This is a serious matter,” said Attorney General Michael Kerzner. “That’s why this morning I spoke with Chief Jeff Skye of the Anishinabek Police Services to discuss how serious this is.”

He said he told the federal government this summer that First Nations policing needed to be overhauled and become an essential service.

“When the federal government comes to the table and puts forward more money to do the right thing, Ontario will do it too,” Kerzner said.

“This minister cannot use jurisdiction as an excuse to drop this issue,” Mamakwa replied.

Federal Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu has reached out to the Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg First Nation to find solutions, her office said.

“No one should feel unsafe in their home,” said Jennifer Kozelj, Hajdu’s spokeswoman.

“Whether indigenous or non-indigenous, we are each other’s people and must come together in times of need.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on November 19, 2024.