GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO GINOOGAMING FAMILY MEMBERS AND RE-ISSUE A CALL FOR ACTION ON STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED 16 MONTHS AGO DUE TO RISING CRIME
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, October 9, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO GINOOGAMING FAMILY MEMBERS AND RE-ISSUE A CALL FOR ACTION ON STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED 16 MONTHS AGO DUE TO RISING CRIME
GINOOGAMING FIRST NATION, ON — Ginoogaming First Nation (GFN) Chief and Council today offered their deepest condolences to Ginoogaming family members following the tragic death of a community member which is being investigated as a homicide in relation to two armed and dangerous individuals at large in the community and re-issue a call for action on a State of Emergency (SOE) declared 16 months ago due to rising crime, violence, drug/alcohol/gang related crime threatening the safety and well-being of the community.
“It is absolutely tragic that the young life of one of our members has been taken and another one has been injured,” said Chief Sheri Taylor. “The two outstanding armed and dangerous individuals continuing to be at large is a major concern and we urge anyone with any information (or know of their current whereabouts) to report it to the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. We will continue to work with local law enforcement to continue to advocate for increased police presence and to ensure that this matter is resolved even while the shelter-in-place order is lifted.”
One of the reasons identified for the lack of action on the current SOE and the increase in crime in Ginoogaming First Nation has been the lack of resources in the region to address alcohol, drug and gang related crime. “There continues to exist a lack of resources and interest from our Treaty partners to address our SOE from over one year ago,” said Chief Sheri Taylor. “As a start, Canada needs to immediately sign off on the policing Service Delivery Model that will increase resources in our area.”
Chief Taylor added that, “I empathize with other First Nations within the municipality of Greenstone who also are struggling with having their hands tied when they want to deal with members who are harboring drug dealers in their homes. Governments need to step in and have a serious look at the inability of law enforcement to fulfill their crucial role in maintaining public safety and enforcing laws because this puts our families at risk every day.”
Ginoogaming First Nation is calling on the federal and provincial governments to provide immediate action and resources to protect the safety and wellbeing of communities on- reserve like they do in municipalities.
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For more information, please contact Carol Audet, Communications Manager – Matawa First Nations at (807) 632-9663 or by email at caudet@matawa.on.ca.