Wawatay Staff

The member of Ontario’s Ring of Fire Secretariat responsible for dealing with First Nations has stepped down from the position.
Deborah Richardson of Pabineau First Nation joined the Secretariat in August 2012, taking on the position vacated by Harvey Yesno when he stepped down to run for Nishnawbe Aski Nation grand chief.
Richardson informed stake-holders in January that she was taking a two-year leave from the Ontario government.
David De Launay will take over from Richardson on the Secretariat.

Between Jan. 20 and 24, Nishnawbe-Aski Police at the Eabametoong Detachment conducted three separate investigations of drug trafficking destined for the First Nation Territory of Eabametoong resulting in the seizure of $11,128 worth of marijuana and $720 worth of Oxycodone.
On Jan. 20, police seized an approximate street value of $8,520 worth of marijuana.
Forty-three year-old Rose Boyce of Eabametoong First Nation was charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking under Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Chief of Police Claude Chum has taken an indefinite personal leave of absence as of Jan. 23.
Deputy Chief Robert Herman has been appointed as acting chief of police and Inspector Roland Morrison has been appointed as acting deputy chief until further notice.
A letter explaining the personal leave of absence, which was accepted and approved by the NAPS board of directors, was sent to all Nishnawbe Aski Nation chiefs and councils on Jan. 23.

The Ojibways of the Pic River are planning a coastal trail to protect sand dunes and natural habitat from the mouth of the Pic River to Heron Bay on Lake Superior.
“Congratulations to the Ojibways of the Pic River First Nation and their partners for taking steps to protect Lake Superior,” said Environment Minister Jim Bradley. “This is a great example of groups coming together to help ensure that our Great Lakes are drinkable, swimmable and fishable.”

Thunder Bay-Superior MPP Michael Gravelle is taking over as minister of Ontario’s ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM).
Gravelle was announced as MNDM minister on Feb. 11, as new premier Kathleen Wynne was sworn in and her new cabinet announced.
Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci had previously announced he would be stepping down as minister and leaving politics at the end of his current term.
Wynne also announced that Ontario’s ministry of Aboriginal Affairs would become an independent ministry in her government.