Mistissini is considering installing surveillance cameras and a community gate following a gang-related shooting January 28 that left two local men dead in a bullet-riddled vehicle. Two teenaged boys were arrested in connection to the killings two days later.
At the Reducing Violence and Crime Forum in Mistissini held March 6, community members suggested and debated a variety of efforts to address violence, drugs and bootlegging in the community. Locals felt that short-term priorities were most important and should be completed within the next year or two.
Mistissini Chief Michael Petawabano said that one immediate goal is a staffed entrance gate, even though this could be an expensive proposition for the community.
“There are people from the outside who are bringing drugs into our community,” said Petawabano. “It’s not about searching vehicles but rather to monitor who is coming in.”
The installation of cameras in strategic locations is also being seriously evaluated. Petawabano said Mistissini’s IT department is investigating how this could be implemented.
“We’ll be working with the police on where to strategically place the cameras,” the Chief noted.
The Eeyou Eenou Police Force participated in the forum, for instance, providing information sessions about crime rates and their responses.
Petawabano said Neighbourhood Watch has been in place for years, but that it’s difficult to maintain in a sustained fashion.
“There are people who are connecting via social media and discussing how they can protect their neighbourhood,” he said. “That was one of the action items we wanted to improve on because I
believe getting people to do this will help out with the cause.”
Mistissini is also looking at First Nation banishment laws. Although Petawabano believes the band council has the authority to enact such measures, “we have to approach this carefully. It has to be thought through and should not be the first option. We have to make sure that using these types of things are defendable.”
Petawabano feels that people who commit major crimes should change their behaviour before returning to the community. “We feel there’s too much leniency with the courts. It’s almost like it’s only First Nations people.”
The forum identified several other priorities. They included youth engagement and protection, land-based activities, school awareness campaigns, and healing and treatment centres. One proposal would enforce a 9pm curfew for youth under 13.
Members also suggested creating women and men’s shelters, parenting workshops and safe homes.
Each community requires its own solutions, the Chief insisted.
“It has to be built from the ground level specific to a community and at the regional level you can look at common issues and learn what are the best practices to solve certain problems,” Petawabano said.
Petawabano added that council will look for new sources of funding for these measures.
“We have all the resources in my opinion, but the problem is we don’t work together,” he observed. “Why are we meeting down south when the problems are in the communities? There should be leaders, community members and frontline workers working on these issues together.”
In the end, Petawabano concluded, “It’s about protecting the people and giving them peace of mind.”