December 10th, 2024

MPP Mamakwa responds to Nishnawbe Aski Police Service becoming a legislated police force through the Community Safety and Policing Act

QUEEN’S PARK – Earlier this afternoon, NDP Critic for Indigenous and Treaty Relations and Deputy Leader Sol Mamakwa (Kiiwetinoong) joined the current and former leadership of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN), the leadership of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS), Elders and the Solicitor General for the ceremony and signing of the agreement that will bring NAPS into the provincial framework for policing. By ‘opting-in’ to the Community Safety and Policing Act, which came into force on April 1, 2024, NAN has become Ontario’s first legislated First Nations police service.

“I really want to congratulate NAPS and say meegwetch to everyone involved in working toward this historic agreement. There are 49 First Nations in the NAN territory and many of these are in Kiiwetinoong – I am hopeful that all of the communities served by NAPS will benefit from this agreement, as these First Nations will finally access the same standards and guaranteed funding as the rest of the province.”

“At the same time, we know there are many First Nations in Ontario outside of NAN who will continue to experience inequitable and substandard policing. I urge the Solicitor General to work with those First Nations and First Nation organizations to find a path forward so that all people living in First Nations in Ontario will have access to the community safety services that they deserve.”

At today’s signing ceremony, Mamakwa also said, “There’s a lot of work to be done, so it’s for the safety and the goodness of the people that live in Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which is part of Kiiwetinoong as well.”

Background

  • The Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) is the largest First Nation in Canada, providing police services to 34 communities in Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) territory. NAPS employs around 230 uniformed officers and 40 civilians.
  • NAPS was created following an “agreement in principle” that was negotiated by Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the Government of Canada, and the Government of Ontario. The agreement was ratified in December of 1993, and was rolled out in phases over the following months and years.
  • Further background information is available in NAN's media release, published earlier today.