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Chiefs of the Anishinabek Nation resolution to rid their First Nations of drug abuse

November 28, 2007 - 5:54am | by brianbeaton

Anishinabek Nation press release 

Anishinabek Nation Chiefs Declare War On Drugs

OJIBWAYS OF GARDEN RIVER FN, Nov. 26 - Chiefs of the 42 member Anishinabek Nation communities have unanimously passed a resolution giving First Nation councils the authority to rid their communities of drug dealers.

"Just as we have treaty rights and inherent rights, we have a right to demand drug-free communities," says Grand Council Chief John Beaucage during a special fall assembly of Anishinabek leaders. "Today our Chiefs told their citizens they are willing to go to any lengths to make their communities safe - to use force if necessary.

"This is what true leadership is about - being prepared to be aggressive, to take extraordinary steps to rid our First Nations of drug abuse, trafficking and associated organized crime," said Beaucage. "Our war on drugs will employ the same tactic as our struggle to protect our rights, including passing new laws and strictly enforcing them, demanding action by other governments whose citizens are involved in the drug trade - even staging blockades to call nation-wide attention to criminals preying upon our youth."

The Anishinabek Nation leader said First Nations need cooperation of outside agencies in their ongoing struggle to deal with problems associated with illicit and prescription drug use in their communities. He said organized crime and criminal gangs may be targeting First Nations for drug trafficking since they have inadequate resources to police their communities.

Chiefs at the Grand Council Assembly heard Curve Lake First Nation's Keith Knott describe his community's recent attempts to ban the partner of a community resident after he plead guilty to possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

"The individual, a common-law spouse of a band member, is now seeking a legal injunction to allow him to return to his home in our community," said Chief Knott, "This injunction could erase the Curve Lake band council's order banning him from reserve. If this individual should win, what will happen to my community? We are working so hard to get rid of these people."

The Anishinabek Nation's war on drugs will include:

  • Developing new Anishinabek Nation Laws to address who can come onto Anishinabek Nation Land, including provisions to forcibly remove drug dealers;
     
  • Enabling the Ogitchidaa (Warrior) Society and community safety circles to support law enforcement;
     
  • Seeking removal of opiates (ie oxycontin, percacet) from the First Nations and Inuit Health Benefits approved drug list;
     
  • Partnering with the federal government to develop a First Nation comprehensive health record to track prescriptions and abuse;
     
  • Developing youth-specific initiatives, including counselling, recreation, education and community support programs;
     
  • Lobbying for federal government investment in new prevention programs based on culturally-appropriate values;
     
  • Developing new programs to provide more support for First Nation citizens recovering from drug addiction.

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is the political advocate for 42 member First Nations in Ontario, and is the oldest political organization in Ontario, tracing its origins to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

For further information: Marci Becking, Communications Officer, becmar@anishinabek.ca,. Phone: (705) 497-9127, ext. 2290; Bob Goulais, Executive Assistant to the Grand Council Chief, mailto:goubob@anishinabek.ca, (705) 498-5250

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