Latest news with #NishnawbeAskiNation
CBC
04-08-2025
- CBC
Kenora OPP officer cleared by SIU in fatal shooting of man in Anicinabe Park
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says there is "no basis" to charge police officers in the death of 57-year-old Bruce Wallace Frogg. An Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer in Kenora shot and killed Frogg during an incident at Anicinabe Park on June 25, 2024, Ontario's police watchdog said in its report released Friday. Video footage from the cellphone of witnesses and a police cruiser camera showed Frogg holding two knives and walking toward the officers, said the report. The officer shot Frogg with a rifle from a distance of six to eight metres, the report said. After shooting Frogg, the officer sat in his police vehicle, where video footage captured him taking deep breaths and saying, "I don't know if that was the right call," according to the report. SIU director Joseph Martino said in his decision that he was satisfied the officer, referred to in the report as Subject Officer (SO) #2, used a reasonable amount of force in defence of himself and the other people present. "Nothing short of gunfire had the immediate stopping power required of the moment," said Martino. The SIU investigated the conduct of both SO #2 and an officer who assumed command of the operation soon after police first arrived. The commanding officer was referred to in the report as SO #1. Neither of the officers agreed to be interviewed by the SIU or release their notes, said the report. NAN rejects SIU's conclusion In a statement released Wednesday, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler described the investigation as "severely flawed." He said the report leaves many unanswered questions and doesn't provide accountability to NAN or Frogg's family. "We reject the conclusion that the officers' actions were reasonable and justified," said Fiddler. "There is also no analysis in the report on Bruce's state of mind at the time, how his mental state could have led to his actions or how officers are trained to respond to a person in emotional crisis," Fiddler said. Fiddler said the SIU investigation only focused on the specific actions police took at the time, and didn't consider "signifcant and broader systemic issues." Frogg had previously struggled with addiction and significant trauma, his family previously told CBC. They said he was a survivor of the convicted sex offender and ex-priest Ralph Rowe. He also had multiple family members, including his father and other siblings, who attended residential school. Frogg was 'upset,' said 'no one helped him': report The SIU report included an "incident narrative "that was written based on interviews with witnesses and video footage. In it, the SIU said Frogg was "in a highly agitated state" when he pushed a shopping cart full of wood to the park office and set it on fire, said the report. A park employee called police and fled through the office's back door as the building caught fire, it said. The first officer who arrived at the scene tried to speak to Frogg, said the report. "He asked him to calm down and drop the knives. [Frogg] was extremely upset and waved the machetes in front of him. He said that no one helped him," the report said. In other instances in the report, the knives are referred to as meat cleavers. Images of the two knives collected at the park after Frogg was shot are included in the report and labelled as meat cleavers. Frogg "challenged the officers to shoot him," according to the report. An officer reported that Frogg "wanted to talk with a case worker," according to radio communications logs. SO #1, who assumed command of the operation, made a plan that involved having firefighters spray their hoses at the part of the building where Frogg was, the report said. "It was hoped that the water would, directly or indirectly, whether by distracting [Frogg] or causing him to lose balance, permit the officers an opportunity to safely take [Frogg] into custody." After Frogg was hit with water, he walked away from the spray and off the deck of the building, said the report. "He took three steps in the parking lot in the direction of the firefighters and group of officers, including SO #2, when the officer fired three times," said the report. After the officer shot him, Frogg had bullet wounds in his chest and abdomen, it said. He was taken to the Lake of the Woods Hospital for surgery, but died later that afternoon. SO #1 was investigated for the decision to have firefighters spray water towards Frogg, "which seems to have been the catalyst for his movement off the porch," said Martino in his report. Officers considered using a "less-lethal" weapon, it said, nothing radio communication records show they requested an Anti-Riot Weapon ENfield or "ARWEN" multiple times, but none arrived in time. An ARWEN is a launcher that can shoot items including plastic projectiles, chemical irritants or smoke canisters. Using the available Conducted Energy Weapons (CEWs), commonly referred to as Tasers, or the police dog on scene were ruled out for various reasons, said the report. With these factors considered, Martino said he did not view SO #1's conduct as meeting the standard of criminal negligence causing death. "There is no basis for proceeding with criminal charges in this case."
CBC
24-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Inside Indigenous backlash to fast-tracking mega projects
Many First Nations leaders across Canada are furious about two laws just passed by both the federal government and Ontario's provincial government. The Protecting Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act and the federal Building Canada Act, better known as Bill 5 and Bill C5, are meant to fast-track large development projects and have faced similar criticisms. Many Indigenous people say the bills stomp on treaty rights and ignore the need to get their consent for development in their territories –– and this could shape up to mean some big battles across the country. Alvin Fiddler, Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, a political organization that represents 49 Ontario First Nations, joins the show to unpack the controversy.
Globe and Mail
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Chiefs criticize Indigenous advisory council for Bill C-5 projects after meeting with Carney
Two First Nations chiefs are voicing concerns over a proposed Indigenous advisory council that will work with Bill C-5's major projects office, with one saying he has little faith that it will have any impact. Part of the recently passed legislation allows the federal cabinet to deem projects to be of national interest and then exempt them from various laws in order to speed up approvals and construction. The co-ordination of potential projects to be considered on the national-interest list will be done by the major projects office, which will work closely with an Indigenous advisory council announced last month. Both the office and the council are expected to be up and running by Labour Day, the Prime Minister's Office said. The council will be comprised of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis representatives, as well as modern treaty and self-government delegates, to help ensure Indigenous perspectives and priorities are integrated at each stage, the PMO added. Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, who represents 49 First Nations in Northern Ontario, said he has not yet seen a mandate or terms of reference for the council, but he doesn't 'really have too much faith in' it. 'We've seen advisory committees before on other issues and in different ways,' he said. 'They can provide all the advice that they want, it doesn't necessarily mean that their advice will be heeded or actioned on.' When asked what could give him faith, Mr. Fiddler said the government could amend Bill C-5 to explicitly include that First Nations will have to consent to major projects taking place in their territory. Why First Nations are clashing with Ontario and Ottawa over bills aimed at speeding up megaprojects The law has sparked worry from Indigenous leaders, who have said they are not against development but are concerned their treaty rights will be violated. The federal government has repeatedly said Indigenous people will be consulted at key stages. Prime Minister Mark Carney met with First Nations leaders on Thursday after facing significant pushback from Indigenous leadership on how Bill C-5 was introduced and then sped through Parliament in under a month. At the meeting, Mr. Carney said projects under the legislation will be built with Indigenous communities. Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine also levelled heavy criticism at the proposed council. He called it a 'colonial construct' and said it will be used to 'manufacture consent on legislation and policies that affect all Indigenous people, including treaty nations.' 'A small group of hand-selected advisers cannot speak on behalf of hundreds of distinct nations with sovereign governance structures,' he said at a press conference after Thursday's meeting. Chiefs gave the meeting mixed reviews. Overall, Mr. Fiddler described it as 'a bit of a gongshow,' citing a last-minute agenda and First Nations' support staff needing to watch online owing to capacity limits at the venue. Mr. Carney committed to regional dialogues. Mr. Fiddler said he told Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty that he is willing to be flexible with the dates of a fall grand assembly to accommodate Mr. Carney's schedule. Mr. Fiddler said he also told Ms. Gull-Masty that there needs to be a forum for youth to voice their concerns directly to government, after youth protesters from Nishnawbe Aski Nation were not allowed into the meeting – a move he called 'very concerning.' 'When we talk about lands and resources and waters, we're talking about our young people and their future,' he said. Mr. Fiddler added he expects to see more protests. His First Nation is monitoring a court challenge filed by nine Ontario First Nations on Bill C-5 and Ontario's similar Bill 5, he said. Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, took a more positive view of the meeting, saying it was a 'good first step.' She reiterated her call to have Mr. Carney meet with First Nations annually, on top of the regional discussions. 'He stayed in the room with those chiefs. He listened to them. He talked to them one-on-one, plus as a group, took lots of questions,' she said, adding she thinks he gained some friends from across the country. She noted the relationship Mr. Carney's government has with First Nations will be determined by actions it takes this fall. She has called on the Prime Minister to address the First Nations infrastructure deficit, and to ensure there are no budget cuts to First Nations, among other asks. Thursday's meeting was the first of three to be held between the Prime Minister and First Nations leaders on Bill C-5. Mr. Carney is set to meet with the Inuit-Crown Partnership Committee next week in Inuvik, N.W.T., according to the PMO, and with Métis leadership later on in the summer. Meanwhile, Mr. Carney is also scheduled to meet with Canada's premiers next week to discuss next steps.
CBC
17-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
More 'action' promised against major projects law: Chief Alvin Fiddler
Following the prime minister's Thursday summit with First Nations leaders to discuss the major projects law passed last month, Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Alvin Fiddler tells Power and Politics that protesters won't be satisfied with the discussion: 'There will be an escalation of action on the ground.'
CBC
14-07-2025
- General
- CBC
Wildfire-related power outages have now hit 6 First Nations in northwestern Ontario
Social Sharing People in Pikangikum First Nation are using the little fuel they have left to shine headlights into their homes as a way to escape the darkness as wildfires continue to damage hydro poles in the region. The remote Ojibway community in northwestern Ontario has been without power for three days. Five other communities in the region — Deer Lake, Sandy Lake, Poplar Hill, North Spirit Lake and Keewaywin First Nations — are also now experiencing outages. Paddy Peters, chief of Pikangikum, said area wildfires have damaged six poles along the Wataynikaneyap Power line, creating a chain reaction in half a dozen First Nations. "People are running out of food," said Peters. "We need a lot of fresh food in our community. We need baby milk, Enfamil, Pampers. We need lights." There are vulnerable members of these communities who will need to be medevaced out to ensure they are able to access the services they need. - Alvin Fiddler, grand chief, Nishnawbe Aski Nation Tiziana Baccega Rosa, senior media relations adviser for Hydro One, provided an emailed statement to CBC News just after 5 p.m. ET on Monday. "Through its distribution system, Hydro One Remote Communities, a subsidiary of Hydro One Inc., provides electricity from Wataynikaneyap Power's transmission line to remote and isolated communities in Ontario's far north," Baccega Rosa said. "Hydro One is mobilizing 20 transmission crew members along with off-road equipment to support Wataynikaneyap Power's restoration work." While people in Deer Lake and Sandy Lake have access to power through emergency diesel, Baccega Rosa said well over 1,000 customers in the other four First Nations are without power. An update from Sandy Lake First Nation said crews were expected to replace the first hydro pole on Monday. "Hydro One has also offered assistance and is moving additional equipment in from Kenora and Dryden," the First Nation said on Facebook on Monday afternoon. Internet, cell and telephone lines remain down. Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5, sent an emailed statement to CBC News on Monday. "There is a growing concern with the threat to many of our remote communities including Pikangikum, Keewaywin and Poplar Hill," Fiddler said. "We are worried about the elderly and those needing air conditioning, and the spoilage of food and harvested wild game in stored freezers. We have been in touch with Wataynikaneyap Power and hope that power can be restored as quickly as possible." The Northern Store in Pikangikum has been closed for three days, said Peters, "and I'm sure a lot of their products, essential goods, are spoiling." Communication systems have also been compromised, Fiddler said, making it difficult for leaders to reach emergency responders and government officials. "There are vulnerable members of these communities who will need to be medevaced out to ensure they are able to access the services they need," Fiddler said. "We have addressed these concerns to various levels of government and are following up with senior officials today to ensure that our communities receive immediate support." In the meantime, evacuation efforts continue in Pikangikum due to a 31,000-hectare fire, known as Red Lake 62, just seven kilometres away. The fire is shifting eastward, away from Pikangikum. Still, Peters said, Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) should have warned him about it sooner. This should have never happened. Somebody made the wrong decision out there. When the fire was 30 kilometres away, we should have been warned and told to get ready for an evacuation. "This should have never happened. Somebody made the wrong decision out there. When the fire was 30 kilometres away, we should have been warned and told to get ready for an evacuation," he said. CBC News has reached out to the MNR and is awaiting a response. However, Carolane Gratton, a spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), said in an emailed statement, "Ontario is in the midst of a very active wildfire season, and Indigenous Services Canada is working in partnership with all affected First Nations, as well as First Nations leadership and organizations, the province of Ontario and other partners to respond. "Ensuring the safety and well-being of community members is our top priority, and we continue to support evacuation efforts and emergency needs as the situation evolves." About 4,000 people live in Pikangikum, located in Treaty 5 about 500 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay. A command centre has been set up at the school, the only building with power, thanks to a backup generator. While about 2,000 evacuees were initially expected to be sent to Toronto and Mississauga, Peters said, "that's too far to send my people." Instead, about 500 people have been sent to Thunder Bay and 50 prenatal women went to Sioux Lookout, he said. More evacuees are on the way, either boarding Dash-8 planes or choosing to self-evacuate. "As a leader, I'm very concerned [about] the number of people that are still here," said Peters. Favourable winds in the forecast As for Red Lake 62, Ontario Forest Fires said an implementation order remains in effect for the area, limiting the use of many roads and lakes. "Ongoing drought conditions in the Red Lake sector continue to support a really active fire behaviour and deep burning fires, which are stubborn to extinguish and take longer periods," fire information officer Chris Marchand told CBC News on Monday afternoon. "There is very little in terms of rain in the forecast, though our winds are expected to remain in a favourable direction for some of the larger fires where firefighting operations are taking place." There are 10 crews, seven pieces of heavy equipment and 18 aircraft fighting Red Lake 62, with more workers expected to arrive in the area in the coming days, he said. While rainfall has been patchy across the region, the wildland fire hazard is highest along the Manitoba border, "which has seen a dry spring and summer, and has these ongoing drought conditions," said Marchand. More than 20 air quality statements are in effect across northwestern Ontario, including for Pikangikum, due to wildfire smoke. With no definitive timeline for restoration of power, Peters said he's calling for more resources to be delivered as soon as possible. "We're sending out an SOS. Whoever is listening, we need help," he said. "We need prayers. If you're a prayer warrior out there, pray for our community, pray for our people."
