THUNDER BAY – CRIME BEAT – Nishnawbe-Aski Police have been engaged in a situation in Neskantaga First Nation.
Three youths have each been charged with one count of Uttering Threats and
one count of Mischief.
Extra officers were dispatched to the community to deal with the situation. Some in the community were reporting that an Emergency Response Team had been dispatched, Sgt. Jackie George from NAPS stated to NNL that while some of the officers are members of the ERT, they were not dispatched to Neskantaga as a team.
The situation developed after two threatening letters were found that led police to take action.
On Friday night a 9PM curfew was inplace. The curfew was set by Chief and Council. The curfew was to assist NAPS officers. There is another 9PM curfew for tonight (Saturday).
The police believe the youths are not dangerous to the community, they were released after being charged. The charges were laid due to the seriousness of the situation in the community.
There were reports of shots being fired in the community, those reports however were investigated and nothing could be verified. Many in the community were very concerned as the situation evolved and police were receiving a number of calls from concerned residents.
Co-operation between Police and the community helped to bring the situation to a resolution.
Neskantaga First Nation (formerly known as Lansdowne House Indian Band) is a remote Oji-Cree First Nation community in the northern reaches of the Canadian province of Ontario, situated along the shore of Attawapiskat Lake in the District of Kenora. The community is an hour and a half flight north from Thunder Bay.
The First Nation is a signatory to Treaty 9 (originally as part of the Fort Hope Band) and has reserved for itself the 831.50 hectares (2,054.7 acres).
