Chief and Council Update December 19th, 2025

Chief and Council Update – December 19,2025

Work continues at the Chief and Council table to address the ongoing State of Emergency in Pikwakanagan, which we have been under since November, 2023. 

One of the main concerns expressed by community members, was the need to remove drug dealers and other persons from Pikwakanagan, who were not authorized to be here. Enforcement of these problems has been a challenge due to identified shortcomings in existing provincial and First Nation laws and the lack of available resources.

Recently, there have been some positive changes in the law and how they are being enforced in First Nations in Ontario, and we are taking steps to build upon those developments so that we can better address the opioid crisis here in Pikwakanagan and increase community health and safety.  One of the keys to do this, is to update our own residency and trespass laws in Pikwakanagan.

All of our by-laws are being reviewed and updated and we are working to replace our existing Residency Law with a new improved and updated Residency/Tresspass Law which will provide the ability and obligation for enforcement by the OPP.  Chief and Council will be meeting with our legal team on February 11 to continue this work and we are planning a possible community update meeting on February 23, 2026.

Additionally, Chief and Council have extended our Pikwaklanagan  Community Support Personnel (CSP) program to at least March 2026, following feedback at the most recent community meeting that the CSP program has had a very positive effect on the safety and wellbeing of Pikwakanagan and should therefore continue.

Chief and Council wish a safe and happy holiday season to all.