Listen to this article
Estimated 5 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
As a state of emergency remains in place in Long Lake #58 First Nation over the toxic drug crisis, the northwestern Ontario community is creating new safety and wellness roles to help protect vulnerable members.
The Ojibway community of 550 people, located about 40 kilometres east of Geraldton, declared the emergency on Jan. 30 after the death of a young woman from neighbouring Ginoogaming First Nation. Chief John O’Nabigon says the crisis has deepened since then, with another young woman dying of an overdose in April, and that existing supports are unable to meet the need.
“Our community is grieving. Many people are feeling sadness, anger, fear, and frustration. I share those feelings. We do not accept this as normal, and we will not remain silent,” O’Nabigon wrote.
Long Lake #58 is located within the Thunder Bay district, which continues to have the highest opioid-related death rate in Ontario — more than five times the provincial rate, according to the Office of the Chief Coroner.
The emergency declaration says the community is frustrated by the ongoing presence of drug traffickers who are supplying to vulnerable members.
“We need Canada and Ontario to assist us to have more readily available services for people at the community level,” O’Nabigon told CBC News Tuesday.
“What we have available is just not enough.”
Due to the high cost of drugs in northern communities, southern Ontario gangs continue to expand north for the exponential increase in profit that can be derived.– Theresa Wabason, OPP North West Region
The First Nation has earmarked $150,000 to hire two new staff: one person who will work closely with community leadership and police to prevent drug traffickers and people harbouring trespassers — those who are not from the community — in their homes, and another dedicated to developing a mental health strategy and community well-being plan.
The community is crafting a strategic plan to guide these efforts, O’Nabigon added.
Southern Ontario gangs moving north: police
O’Nabigon said Long Lake #58 has been strengthening its relationship with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), but he wants to see a greater police presence in the community.
Sgt. Theresa Wabason, regional media co-ordinator with the OPP’s North West Region, provided an emailed statement to CBC News Wednesday.
“Though the Greater Toronto Area may be the epicentre of street gang activity and associated violence, gang issues have migrated to rural and northern communities, including First Nations,” Wabason wrote.
“Due to the high cost of drugs in northern communities, southern Ontario gangs continue to expand north for the exponential increase in profit that can be derived.”
Wabason said the OPP is committed to working with First Nations and policing partners to provide support “to ensure ongoing community safety through focused enforcement and intelligence-led investigations when requested.”
A spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) also provided an emailed statement to CBC News Friday.
“Everyone deserves the right to feel safe in community. The Nation’s initiative to bring together partners for a co-ordinated approach to community safety is a strong path forward,” Jennifer Cooper wrote.
ISC provided Long Lake #58 with more than $1.3 million for mental wellness programming and services in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
“This included [the] expansion of trauma-informed health and cultural supports in the community, and Opioid Agonist Treatment programming with enhanced wraparound supports,” Cooper wrote.
Long Lake #58 also has a mental wellness team jointly funded by the province and ISC, and receives support through Matawa First Nations Management and the NAN Hope program through Keewaytinook Okimakanak — Northern Chiefs Council, she said.
Resources at all stages of recovery
Historically, Long Lake #58 has sent dozens of community members to Thunder Bay to detox from alcohol or drugs in a First Nation-owned hotel under the care of medical professionals.
While this has proven effective, O’Nabigon said he also wants to see more resources in the First Nation to help people before, during and after treatment.
Long Lake #58 First Nation is supporting 42 of its members at the NorWester Hotel and Conference Centre in Thunder Bay, Ont., while they receive on-site medical and social support to detox from alcohol and drugs. After the 10-day detox, they will go to treatment and then participate in cultural, land-based healing back home. Here’s how the community hopes this model sets a precedent for other First Nations.
“When somebody is reaching out for help, they need to have somebody to talk to, somewhere to go,” O’Nabigon said. “If there’s a waiting period, you’ll end up losing them.”
He hopes to see more cultural teachings, as well as traditional healing and medicines, integrated into people’s recovery plans, along with more regional co-ordination when it comes to sending people away for treatment.
He also wants partners at all levels to come together to offer more prevention programming.
“Educating these children, encouraging them to receive education,” he said. “Showing them that there’s other, better possibilities in life … that they could achieve.”
