Question Period Note: M’Chigeeng First Nation Travel Ban

• We recognize that many Indigenous communities face unique challenges in addressing COVID-19.

• On April 25, M’Chigeeng First Nation initiated a non-essential travel ban that includes checkpoints on two provincial highways that run through the community.

• Travelers entering the First Nation’s territory may be stopped at the checkpoint and advised to reroute to secondary roads to avoid transit through the community.

• We will continue to facilitate dialogue between First Nations, police services and public safety authorities on the issue of enforcement related to travel-bans.

Background

As of May 5, 2020, 86 First Nations in Ontario have implemented COVID-19 related travel restrictions, and 67 have declared a State of Emergency.

On April 9, M’Chigeeng First Nation established a checkpoint on Hwy 540. Initially the checkpoint was established to gather data about travellers using the highway. Chief Linda Debassige stated that the community saw an increase in non-essential travel, including cottagers, in the month of April.

On April 25, Chief Debassige and council instituted a non-essential travel ban that includes checkpoints on provincial highways 540 and 551, which run through the community. A volunteer team staffs the checkpoints to notify vehicles that the First Nation is only open to residents and essential services. Non-essential travellers include cottagers, campers, seasonal residents, and trailers and RVs, which are being rerouted through secondary roads and detours around M’Chigeeng First Nation.

Al MacNevin, Mayor of the neighbouring Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, positions that the checkpoints are illegal in the absence of a provincially issued travel ban and believes his residents are unnecessarily burdened by the delays and detours. MacNevin claims that the secondary roads are not suitable for increased traffic; and fears that conflicts could ensue, without the support of police presence. MacNevin has requested formal intervention by the province to remove the checkpoints.

UCCMM Tribal Chair Chief Patsy Corbiere (of Aundeck Omni Kaning), has attempted to mediate the issue by offering to establish a leadership committee on Manitoulin Island, with First Nation, municipal, health and public safety representatives “to set a more positive tone moving forward and increase Island-wide collaboration in a challenging time”.

Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Mantha said at a press conference on Monday May 5th, that he “supported the committee because he felt respectful dialogue was the only way to move forward constructively”. He offered his assistance as an MPP to help promote the health and security of Island communities.

Chief Debassige was re-elected Chief of M`Chigeeng First Nation on March 28, 2020. On April 23, 2020 she was sworn in as the First Nations Trustee of the Rainbow District School Board, representing the 11 First Nations communities served by the Board. Chief Debassige maintains regular communication with the ISC Ontario RDG.

If pressed on escalating tensions and potential conflicts

• The United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising (UCCM) Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police have indicated that they will not enforce the checkpoints, but are aware and prepared to respond to calls related to conflicts.