Manitoba First Nation band council resolution removes 3 alleged drug dealers from community

A Manitoba First Nation is on high alert after its council members banned three alleged drug dealers from the community in an attempt to reduce overdoses and drug-related deaths. 

The leadership of Roseau River First Nation, located about 85 kilometres south of Winnipeg, signed a band council resolution on Sept. 23 which removed people alleged to be selling drugs from the community effective Friday, band Coun. Rachel Ferreira said. 

There have been drug-related deaths in the community, she said, and "this council is not going to tolerate drug dealers in our community."

"If somebody overdoses, they don't care. They're not accountable for their deaths. They don't care. It's money in the pocket."

The resolution, which was signed by four of five council members, including Chief Gary Roberts, listed the removal of three people and warned that other known drug dealers and individuals yet to be identified will follow suit. 

Council asks people to come forward

Ferreira said families have been asking the chief and council to do something about the drug problem. Now the band council resolution shows community members that leaders care for their well-being and are listening to their concerns, she said. 

"Enough is enough," she told CBC on Saturday.

"We have a duty to protect our children, protect our people, protect our elders and make it a safe community."

The band council asked people to identify and report any drug dealers to the Manitoba First Nations Police Service, who was given permission from council to stop any vehicle coming in or out of the community, she said.

CBC has reached out to the chief of Roseau River First Nation, who did not respond to multiple requests to comment prior to publication.

Over the weekend, Ferreira, police officers and workers from the community's housing department boarded up two drug houses and removed the individuals accused of selling drugs, she said. They were given five days' notice prior to removal, said Ferreira.

She and others have since been threatened by the alleged drug dealers, she said, and she fears for her family's life, but she wants to remain strong for her community.

She said people in Roseau River First Nation are afraid to put their lives at risk by reporting illegal drug activity, but she wants to assure people that any reports will remain anonymous and help keep the community safe. 

"You're saving someone's life by telling," Ferreira said, adding that drugs like methamphetamine, crack cocaine, heroin and down — a drug expected to contain an unknown opioid — are primarily seen in the First Nation. 

More information about a methadone clinic and counselling services will be provided shortly to help those struggling with an addiction, she said. 

First Nations taking action

Roseau River First Nation Coun. Terrance Nelson said the community is following the example of other First Nations that have done the same such as Shamattawa First Nation, which authorized security officers to search people's vehicles, homes and luggage to stop the illicit flow of drugs and alcohol earlier this year in the northern Manitoba community. 

"First Nations are saying very clearly to drug dealers … that they can't target our young people. They can't target our people with all these goddamn drugs, you know, they're killing our people," Nelson said Saturday. 

He said police have gone into schools with dogs used to detect drugs, firearms or explosives to warn students about illicit drugs and send a message that children and youth are a vulnerable target. 

Ferreira is urging other Manitoba First Nations to work together to address the overdose crisis and prevent drug-related deaths by authorizing the provincial First Nations police service to conduct traffic stops in their communities. 

In addition, she would like her community, which is also facing housing and food insecurity issues, to have a proper treatment centre to help those struggling with addictions.