Statement On Community Violence From the leadership of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
On the evening of November 26, gunshots were fired in the Bay Road area of NCN by youth and young adults believed to be involved in gangs.
This is shortly after a 13-year-old youth was shot in his home after shots were fired into his house where others, including young children, were present.
These violent episodes are becoming more and more common, and they cannot continue.
A small number of people are making our community unsafe by perpetuating violence and serious acts of gang violence.
A small number of people are bringing guns, machetes, bear spray, knives, eight balls, and other lethal weapons into NCN and are even committing break and enters to steal guns and rifles from people to perpetuate these crimes.
And yet, we are inundated with complaints about the RCMP, FNSOs, and our Chief of Law Enforcement, Carol Kobliski. There are constant complaints, criticism, and nonstop lateral violence against them.
Without these individuals’ bravery and hard work, we likely would have had numerous tragedies in NCN. Quit complaining about law enforcement and let them do their jobs!
We get so many complaints about our check stop, Community Protection Laws, and Orders in Council.
These measures are taken to ensure the safety of the majority. The check-stop is in place not only to control the flow of alcohol and illegal drugs but also to prevent the flow of lethal and deadly weapons into NCN.
Make no mistake, our FNSOs have confiscated high volumes of knives, machetes, eight balls, and guns, including rifles, at our check stop. As your community leaders, we need you to trust us and support us when we make difficult decisions to make our community safer for the majority and to protect everyone from the minority that are terrorizing innocent people and making NCN unsafe!
Yet, leadership is harshly criticized for removing dangerous individuals from the community and suggestions are made to “let everyone who was BCR’d come back.” Think about that for a moment.
Without real consequences, what deters these individuals from continuing to hurt people and shoot guns in our community, risking innocent lives? What would happen if several dangerous individuals were allowed to return to our community without taking serious measures to address their violent and criminal behaviour? Without taking measures to prevent them from committing more violent acts?
What would happen if people could bring in all of the alcohol and illegal drugs they wanted? What situation would we be facing then?
You cannot have it both ways. You either support the measures taken to ensure the safety of our citizens, or you are encouraging the violence and chaos being perpetuated by the minority.
Finally, we all need to work together to make NCN a safe place to live for all of our people, especially our Elders and our children. When you see something, say something.
Do not just post on social media or Facebook; call the RCMP or the FNSOs and report what you see.
We understand that people are afraid and fear retaliation. You can make anonymous reports to our Justice Department or Chief of Law Enforcement, Carol Kobliski, and be assured that your confidentiality will be protected.
Alternatively, you can make a confidential report to me as Chief. Under my oath of confidentiality as Chief of the nation, I cannot and will not name my sources. Your confidentiality and your name will be protected.
Otherwise, those who are committing acts of violence will continue to do so, and in the worst-case scenario, someone is going to get killed- maybe several people, and no one wants to see that happen.
We remind all NCN citizens that eviction is the penalty under our Community Protection Law for harbouring known fugitives, gang members, or criminals. If you harbour these individuals or hide them in your house, you will lose your home. You will lose your benefits or your job and face other penalties such as fines.
Parents, grandparents, and/or guardians must be accountable for their children and their children’s actions and know their whereabouts. If you feel that your children are out of control, please contact the NCN Justice Program and the NCN Family and Community Wellness Centre for support.
Sadly, we know that some parents, grandparents, and/or guardians are afraid of their children who are gang-involved and are also afraid of having their younger children apprehended if they contact the NCN Family and Community Wellness Centre or NCN CFS. CFS cannot apprehend your children just because you have asked for help; NCN Child and Family Services is there to help children and families.
No one should have to live in constant fear and be afraid to leave their homes, yet this is the current state of affairs in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.
We all need to work together to prevent further violence from happening.
As your elected leaders, we ask for your continued support and cooperation. This is not a Chief and Council issue but a community issue, so we must protect each other.
Together, we can take back our community!
Contact numbers:
RCMP: 204-484-2288
Chief of Law Enforcement Carol Kobliski: 204-679-4749
FNSO Supervisor Carla Bonner: 431-754-6073
FNSO Safety Officers: 204-307-0912
FNSOs Community Patrol: 204-679-0226
Director of Justice Teresa Linklater: 204-670-4339
NCN Family and Community Wellness Centre: 204-484-2341
NCN Justice & Public Safety Office: 204-484-2026
204-484-2081
204-484-2310
204-484-2382
