THUNDER BAY – UPDATED – Officials with the Indigenous Affairs Ontario Ministry tell NetNewsLedger that the blockaded road is now open. “Confirmed that the blockade has come down. Our Ministry officials are in touch with the communities”.
Earlier: Residents in Fort Severn Ontario are expressing concern over a barricade on the winter road impacting travel on the winter ice road for the community.
This snow barricade has prevented traffic from using the road. One of the routes many in Fort Severn, the furthest North community in Ontario use takes them to Thompson Manitoba.
Sources tell NetNewsLedger that Shamattawa First Nation has blocked the road and is demanding $250,000 from Fort Severn.
Shamattawa is a community in Northern Manitoba. Shamattawa First Nation is located at 55°51′30″N 92°05′46″W. The community is on the banks of the Gods River where the Echoing River joins as a right tributary.
Shamattawa is a remote, isolated community, only connected to the rest of the province by winter and ice roads. Winter roads also extend east of the community towards Fort Severn, Ontario, and Peawanuck, Ontario.
Sources tell NNL that the issue has left Winter Road travellers very concerned as it is a long trip to where the barricade is located. There are concerns from people from Fort Severn are not welcome in Shamattawa for supplies including fuel.
A spokesperson for Minister Greg Rickford says to NetNewsLedger, “We are in touch with the communities along the road to understand the situation and determine how the government can best assist. We encourage all parties involved to engage in respectful dialogue aimed at resolving this situation.”
Details are not fully in on this developing report. NetNewsLedger will keep you up to date as facts come in.
NetNewsLedger has contacted the Band Office at Shamattawa for comment but has not been able to reach anyone official as yet.
