Latest news with #NishnawbeAskiPoliceService
CBC
23-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Sandy Lake First Nation mourns loss of 11-year-old to house fire, calls for more resources
Delores Kakegamic says she's tired of losing children to house fires in her community. The chief of Sandy Lake says the First Nation is mourning the loss of an 11-year-old child to a house fire that occurred Thursday afternoon. "Our firefighters have no gear. If they had gear, they would have been able to go further into the house, but with all the smoke, they could only go a couple of seconds at a time," Kakegamic said. The house belonged to the community's fire marshal, she said. A fire shield in the home gave them enough time to get the rest of the children out. Many of the occupants were treated at the nursing station for smoke inhalation. Sandy Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree community located in Treaty 5, about 600 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, Ont. Kakegamic says about 3,500 people live there. There are two fire trucks in the First Nation but only one is functional, she said. Our firefighters have no gear. If they had gear, they would have been able to go further into the house, but with all the smoke, they could only go a couple of seconds at a time. The Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) told CBC News in an email that nine occupants escaped the fire, which was reported shortly after 5 p.m. on Thursday. "When officers arrived on scene, community fire suppression efforts were already ongoing. A scene is being held and members of the NAPS Northwest Crime Unit are now involved in the ongoing investigation," NAPS spokesperson Scott Paradis said Friday morning. The community is still grieving the death of a kindergarten student in a house fire in late February, Kakegamic said. In January 2022, three children — ages four, six and nine — also died in a house fire in Sandy Lake. In the fall, Sandy Lake filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alongside Oneida Nation of the Thames, over Canada's funding of fire services in First Nations. "We can say what we want, but it never arrives," Kakegamic said of the resources she's been asking for. CBC News has reached out to Indigenous Services Canada for a response about Thursday's fire in Sandy Lake First Nation and is awaiting a response. Fire prevention, planning People who live in First Nations are about 10 times more likely to die in a house fire than those living in other communities in the country, according to Statistics Canada. Arnold Lazare, who lives in Kahnawà:ke, Que., is the interim CEO of the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council. While the cause of Thursday's fire in Sandy Lake is unknown at this time, he said most fire-related deaths in remote communities can be attributed to a lack of smoke detectors, a shortage of firefighting services and overcrowded, inadequate housing. "You end up getting a perfect storm where you have multiple people, multiple families in an underrated home without a smoke detector," he said. While much of his work involves getting smoke detectors delivered to communities, he said, the most important thing is fire prevention education. For example, Lazare said people often take down smoke detectors when they're cooking and don't put them back. "There needs to be a public education process where the family is made aware of what to do, primarily the children and the elders who are the most vulnerable," Lazare said. He encourages all households to create a fire safety plan, so all members know where to locate emergency exits and have a meet-up spot outside in case a fire occurs. "We know that by continuing on this path, we are going to reduce the number of fire-related deaths," he said. 'The firefighters are traumatized' At the time of Thursday's fire, Kakegamic said about half of Sandy Lake's firefighters were participating in training outside the community. In addition to better equipment, she said she wants to see more mental health support for those keeping the community safe. "The firefighters are traumatized," she said. "They're left to deal with it on their own and they're having a tough time." With a new federal government in power — and the first Indigenous MP to hold the position of Minister of Indigenous Services — Lazare said he feels hopeful that federal funding can be better allocated to meet First Nations' needs. Providing resources at the community level is key, he said. "Part of our plan is to advocate not for an increase in funding, because we realize funding is short, but what we're advocating for is a more effective use of the dollars that are there," he said. "It empowers the community."
CTV News
17-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Toxic drugs circulating in northern Ontario
The Nishnawbe Aski Police Service is warning of toxic drugs in northern Ontario after a pair of near-fatal overdoses on Thursday. Canada's largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in one of the Far North communities it serves. The alert comes following a pair of overdoses in Marten Falls First Nation on Thursday. The overdoses happened mere hours apart, said NAPS media relations coordinator Scott Paradis, in an email to CTV News. 'In both incidents, the overdoses were non-fatal, but required medical intervention,' he said. According to the police bulletin issued Friday, 'the presence of fentanyl and other potent substances that can cause injury or death are increasing in our communities.' Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid, and it can often be made more dangerous when traffickers mix additional chemicals or cutting agents with it. Aside from being very potent, fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin, said police. 'Fentanyl can be various colours in powder form, a clear patch or disguised in other ways (such as tablets, etc.),' said NAPS. 'There is a risk of fentanyl being present in any controlled substance, including non-opioid controlled substances such as methamphetamines.' Pink fentanyl According to the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, the presence of fentanyl and other potent substances that can cause injury or death are increasing in our communities. A safety bulletin was issued by the police service on Friday after two near-fatal overdoses in Marten Falls First Nation on January 9, 2025. A photo of fentanyl in its powdered form that has dyed pink is shown. (Supplied/Nishnawbe Aski Police Service) In its powder or rock form fentanyl can often be dyed blue, brown, white or even pink. In the past, investigators have said they cannot provide a specific description of the drugs they suspect are causing overdose spikes because drug traffickers can change the colour of their product quickly and such descriptions could present a false sense of security for users. Community members are encouraged to keep a supply of Naloxone on hand and monitor individuals suffering from drug addictions for signs of a suspected opioid-related overdose. 'If you require urgent assistance, contact emergency services immediately,' said police. 1031234188 - ShutterStock Fentanyl -- part of the opioid crisis. (File photo/ShutterStock/Thomas Andre Fure) Individuals in Ontario seeking help with drug addictions can contact ConnexOntario online, by texting 'CONNEX' to 247247 or by phone toll-free at 1-866-531-2600 to find mental health and addiction services available in their area. Anyone with information about ongoing drug-trafficking activity is asked to contact their nearest NAPS detachment or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
CBC
08-02-2025
- CBC
Nishnawbe Aski Police Service's former chief files $2.5M wrongful dismissal lawsuit
The former chief of Canada's largest First Nations police service has filed a more than $2.5-million lawsuit against the its oversight board, alleging he was wrongfully terminated. Roland Morrison was terminated from the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) in November following an independent investigation. He had been suspended with pay in March over misconduct allegations. "Following the conclusion of that investigation, the NAPS board of directors had made the decision to terminate Roland Morrison's employment with NAPS, effective immediately," the board said in a statement Nov. 1. According to a statement of claim filed in Ontario's Superior Court of Justice in Thunder Bay, Morrison is seeking $2.5 million in damages, for wrongful dismissal and breach of contract. The statement alleges NAPS and its board acted in bad faith in their investigation and termination of Morrison. It describes him as an "exemplary employee" and says the termination was done in a "disrespectful manner". NAPS and the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service Board "engaged in a fishing expedition to find any conduct, regardless of how stale-dated and untrue, which could be relied on to terminate Chief Morrison for cause," it alleges. NAPS board to file full defence, chair says NAPS, which serves 34 First Nations across northern Ontario, is now led by police Chief Terry Armstrong, who came out of retirement to take on the role. Frank McKay, chair of the NAPS board, provided an emailed statement to CBC News about Morrison's lawsuit, reiterating he was terminated for cause. "The board arrived at the decision to terminate Mr. Morrison after very careful consideration, following a full and detailed investigation," said McKay. The board has received Morrison's statement of claim and plans to file a full defence, he said. McKay said no further comment will be provided. None of the allegations by either Morrison on the NAPS board have been proven in court. Document details 2 investigations Morrison is a member of Chapleau Cree First Nation who was born and raised in Moose Factory, Ont. He was appointed police chief in April 2019. Before his full-time appointment, Morrison spent six years as deputy chief of police and became acting chief in September 2018, following Armstrong's retirement. In the statement of claim, two investigations into Morrison are detailed. He was first placed on administrative leave in March 2024 pending an investigation into a discrimination complaint made my an NAPS employee. The complaint was about a protocol that NAPS's board put in place about his former spouse, who was a detective staff sergeant for NAPS. "In particular, on Feb. 20, 2024, Chief Morrison was advised of an updated reporting protocol which removed Chief Morrison's involvement in a complaint against his former spouse, Det. Staff Sgt. Morrison," said the statement of claim. The claim states Morrison did not involve himself in the investigation, but did voice concerns about the way his ex-spouse was told she was being placed on an administrative leave. "This was communicated to her via a virtual Zoom call prior to a known 10-hour drive from her assignment to Thunder Bay. The method of communication was not culturally sensitive to Det. Staff Sgt. Morrison's Indigenous heritage, nor did it consider the impact on her mental health," said the statement. Morrison was suspended with pay pending the results of an independent investigation. The claim alleges NAPS attempted to find a reason to terminate Morrison so it wouldn't have to continue paying him. It said he was contacted at the end of May 2024 about a second investigation. "It was alleged that Chief Morrison unlawfully provided firearms to the officers of the Navajo Nation, for adornment on their uniforms during ceremonial appearances during their visit to Nishnawbe Aski Nation's traditional territory in Northern Ontario," reads the statement. The ceremonial visit took place in August 2023, but the statement of claim alleges NAPS said it only became aware of the allegations in April 2024.
