Statement on behalf of Ginoogaming First Nation
Ginoogaming First Nation, ON – Chief Sheri Taylor and Council have issued the following statement as the Government of Ontario has failed to respond to the ongoing crisis caused by drugs and crime that have plagued our community:
“It was deeply insulting to see Indigenous Services Minister Greg Rickford boast about ‘economic reconciliation’ and ‘shared prosperity’ for First Nations while celebrating the so-called gateway to the Ring of Fire when the province has left us on our own to fight a growing crisis that is crippling our community.
While the Minister was celebrating the opening of our lands to resource development this week, Chief and Council were literally going door-to-door to confront and evict drug dealers who are poisoning our members and our community. It is shameful that the Minister is all smiles and hugs when the cameras are on him, but nowhere to be seen when we are forced to carry out the dangerous work that is needed to keep our community safe.
The police serving our community face legislative limitations that prevent meaningful enforcement and support. It has become increasingly difficult to navigate the disfunction between the Anishinabek Police Service, which has the responsible for policing in our community, and the Ontario Provincial Police just down the road in Geraldton. Our citizens deserve to feel safe, but long-standing legislative, jurisdictional and bureaucratic policies are preventing either service from providing effective service.
There is too much debate and too little action. Things are only getting worse. This is part of what has forced Leadership to take direct action. To protect our community, we have been forced to establish security checkpoints with a canine unit, hire community guardians, and bring in specialized drug detection services at our own expense. We refuse to stand by while drugs continue to harm our families. We have acted out of necessity, not choice, and we cannot continue carrying this responsibility alone.
It is unacceptable that we have been forced to take measures into our own hands to protect our people from the devastating impacts of drug trafficking, overdoses, violence, and growing public safety concerns that all result from Ontario’s mismanagement of narcotics policing. Despite our declaring emergencies, raising alarms, and repeatedly calling for assistance, Ontario has taken no meaningful action.
Minister Rickford speaks about prosperity for First Nations, but we are forced to fight for basic resources to protect our people. Prosperity means little when families are losing loved ones, people are struggling with addiction, and local leaders are left to fill gaps that should be addressed by the Province. If the provincial government wants to protect Ontario, it must start by protecting our community.”
Background:
As part of the ongoing State of Emergency declared by Ginoogaming First Nation, the community has implemented multiple security checkpoints and deployed an active K9 unit within the community. These enhanced measures reflect the escalating efforts being undertaken by the community to protect residents and ensure public safety in the face of rising crime and violence.
On May 13, 2026, Ginoogaming and Long Lake No. 58 First Nation issued a joint declaration of a State of Emergency due to the rising crime and violence trespassing into their communities. They called on the governments of Canada and Ontario to immediately provide the necessary interjurisdictional supports to protect and enforce the peace and public safety required on the ground, as the communities were facing increasing demands to take the next steps to enforce the policing and security by-laws on reserve. Comprehensive mental health, addictions and child-youth-elder focused treatment, recovery and aftercare plans were also requested. To date, few resources have been provided.
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For more information please contact:
Michael Heintzman,
Director of Communications
Cell: (807) 621-2790
mheintzman@nan.ca