FSIN's Bobby Cameron supports banishment of drug dealers on First Nations
'We know who the drug dealers are'; First Nations need to work with RCMP, says FSIN
The chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations says he would support formal banishment guidelines on First Nations across the province.
"If it means getting rid of drug dealers, sure," Bobby Cameron said.
"If it means not losing any more youth to alcohol and drugs, you bet I do."
Cameron vocalized support for chiefs Richard Ben of the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation and Austin Bear of the Muskoday First Nation, who have recently taken action to move toward banishment on reserve.
- Muskoday First Nation members vote in favour of trespassing law
- Little Pine First Nation considers banishment to deal with crime
- Banishment from reserves a community effort
Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation recently banished six non-band members from reserve and sent warning letters to 24 band members.
It's about showing that clean, healthy life to our communities and more importantly our youth.- Bobby Cameron, FSIN chief
In a Facebook post, Ben warned any band members who were fostering someone who had been banished could be evicted from their house on reserve.
When questioned about the legality of banishment, Cameron said it can be done if the people of the community take it to a referendum and vote on the banishment.
Cameron said the FSIN executive committee have taken it upon themselves to test for drugs and alcohol randomly.
"It's about showing that clean, healthy life to our communities and more importantly our youth," Cameron said.
Meeting with RCMP
"Something has to be done and the RCMP have a big role in this," said Cameron.
Cameron said there will be a meeting with Curtis Zablocki, the RCMP's F division commanding officer, on Wednesday.
"He really has to tell and instruct his detachments to work with the chief and council, to work with the people," Cameron said.
"For all the other First Nations, even mine in Witchekan [Lake], we know who the drug dealers are."
Drug dealers have to be stopped before there is "full-blown usage" of drugs in the community and before it leads to suicide, Cameron urged.
"They can stop people for a seatbelt," he said. "I'm sure they can stop people for the illegal selling of drugs."
With files from Adam Hunter