Restrictions under state of emergency tighten in Manitoba Cree nation amid escalating violence

A community in northern Manitoba is heightening restrictions and implementing new measures under a state of emergency to address a spike in violence the chief said has been marked by gang activity, bootlegging and illegal drug trade. 

Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation has been under a state of emergency for violence since July 2023, when council instated several rules to contain illegal activities stemming from the sale and consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs.

But Chief Angela Levasseur said violence in the northern Manitoba community, located just over 660 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, hasn't come to a halt more than a year into the state of emergency, forcing the council to implement stricter restrictions to target the kind of incidents that have been putting a dent on safety.

"We're getting very concerned with the escalating violence," Levasseur said. "A lot of people are feeling very unsafe … they want us to address the violence." 

Sgt. Paul Manaigre said call volume at the Nelson House RCMP Detachment so far this fall has been "significantly down" compared to the summer, but officers have received two high-priority calls in that time span, including theft of firearms and a drive-by-shooting in October believed to be gang-related. 

The shooting left a 13-year-old boy critically injured after shots were fired at his home, and the bullets passed through the walls into his bedroom, striking him while lying in bed. 

"A lot of very serious incidents have occurred, especially over the last two months," Levasseur said. "This is why we have introduced some new restrictions." 

Updated and new measures for the state of emergency will be come into effect on Dec. 2, and the chief said the focus will be primarily on the consumption of alcohol, access to the community and gang activity. 

"We are hoping that with our new state of emergency, we're going to see a major reduction in the amount of community violence that we're currently experiencing," the chief said. 

Alcohol permit reinstated

The state of emergency will reinstate the need for a permit to bring alcohol into the community, which has a population of roughly 3,500. Levasseur said the system was discontinued in 2022 after backlash from the community members who argued requiring the permit was a "very archaic and colonial" measure. 

But since the permit was lifted, the Chief said, it has become "far more easy" to bring large amounts of alcohol into the community, often exceeding the limits set under the community protection law. 

"We have individuals that are taking advantage … they're making multiple trips and taking people with them, often exploiting people who are vulnerable, people who have addictions," Levasseur said.

People bringing alcohol into NCN will need a permit and receipt for the purchase this coming December. New permits will be issued without cost for previous holders, but those who have previously violated the conditions of the permit will not be granted a new one unless the chief and council provide written authorization, the state of emergency bulletin said 

Fines will be charged to anyone exceeding the alcohol limit, while residents engaging in bootlegging and the transporting or selling of illegal drugs could face eviction from the community. 

Limiting access to NCN

Another new rule stipulates no person will be allowed to participate in gang activities or meetings in NCN, and wearing gang colours, clothing, or paraphernalia will also be forbidden during the state of emergency. 

"Some very dangerous and violent drug dealers have made their way into our community … they're exploiting the addictions that our people have and bringing with them a lot of guns and violence," Levasseur said.

The new state of emergency will also tighten up access to Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, regulating who can come and during what time. 

NCN citizens and residents, as well visitors authorized by the chief of law enforcement will be the only ones allowed to access the community, the bulletin said.

At entry check stops, valid photo identification will be required, and the number of searches for vehicles and belongings will be increased along with patrol on road access, the bulletin says.

The community will also be sealed off between midnight and 6 a.m., with no access granted for visitors and NCN citizens who don't live in the community during those hours. 

"We're hoping that by making it more difficult to come in and out, we will reduce the amount of drugs in the community," the chief said. 

The state of emergency is ordering businesses to close their doors by 11 p.m., while increasing the hours of curfew for minors from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.

"A lot of young people are getting involved in perpetrating violence … with the stricter curfew, we'll be able to ensure they are at home when they're supposed to be," Levasseur said.

Brent Umas, an NCN resident who has been living in the northern Manitoba community since 1991, told CBC he is a bit skeptical that these upcoming restrictions will help boost safety.

The measures brought in by the last year's state of emergency panned out for the first months, he said, increasing safety, but shortly after they were implemented, the string of violent incidents returned to the community.

"Everybody got used to it," he said. 

Umas said it is important council works to be consistent with enforcing the changes, especially on the matter of alcohol  and community patrols. 

"For now you wouldn't want to walk around alone at night, that's for sure," he said. "It's very concerning." 

In the meantime, the chief said the restrictions are coming into effect later in December to give people enough notice to familiarize themselves with the changes and obtain permits.

"These are not decisions that we made lightly," Levasseur said. 

"We're hoping these changes will result in a more peaceful community … more importantly, a peaceful holiday season for our elders, children, and for all of our community."