Following a recent drug bust that occurred last week near Blind River in Mississauga First Nation, chief and council have closed its borders to non-residents.
"Mississauga First Nation is concerned that the individuals involved in the incident were very young. It is also noted that the individuals were not from Mississauga First Nation and were from high risk COVID-19 areas," reads a statement issued today. "In response to the risk of infection from individuals from high-risk areas the Mississauga First Nation has decided to remove all non-resident and non-band member access to Mississauga First Nations residential areas."
Full text of the Mississauga First Nation statement follows:
Mississauga First Nation (MFN) Chief and Council wishes to express its appreciation to the OPP Blind River Detachment, Street Crime Unit, as well as all others in law enforcement who participated in removing illicit drugs from our community.
Illicit drugs and their proprietors are unwelcome and not tolerated within the Mississauga First Nation. Action will continue to be taken against such abusers of our MFN citizens.
Mississauga First Nation is concerned that the individuals involved in the incident were very young. It is also noted that the individuals were not from Mississauga First Nation and were from high risk COVID-19 areas. In response to the risk of infection from individuals from high-risk areas the Mississauga First Nation has decided to remove all non-resident and non-band member access to Mississauga First Nations residential areas. This includes Village Road, East Street, West Street, Eli Street, Ella Drive, Bonekeosh Street, and Park Road. Access to businesses located on Mississauga First Nation is limited to business accessible via Hwy 17 and will be allowed. Service providers and delivery vehicles will be allowed access to the First Nation.
Any non-residents and non-band members who access Mississauga First Nation will be considered as trespassing and charged by law enforcement accordingly. This order will take effect on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 at 12 p.m.
Addictions and substance abuse are issues which Mississauga First Nation takes very seriously. We want peace and assistance for our citizens who might struggle with substance dependency. We encourage anyone who needs help with dependency to please reach out to either to our Mental Health or Addition Workers at 705-356-1621 or anonymously online or 1-866-531-2600.
For any further inquiries or information please call our Mississauga First Nations Citizens Inquiry Line at (705) 261-0149.
