Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
Encyclopedia
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service (NAPS) is the police force for Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN). Created in 1994, the force has 175 sworn officers at 35 detachments in NAN communities. The Chief of Police is vacant with Robin Jones Acting Chief of Police. Constables with NAPS have authority throughout Ontario.
NAPS is the most autonomous policing service in Canada, and its jurisdiction covers two-thirds of Ontario. It is the largest First Nations police force in Canada, and the second largest in North America. It is one of two police services in Ontario to have its own plane.
NAPS receives 48% of its funding from the government of Ontario
, and 52% from the government of Canada
.
The first phase of the agreement began on April 1, 1994 and lasted four years, when all First Nation constable positions were transferred to NAPS as "Division A". Phase two began on January 1, 1998 when Wahgoshig, Matachewan, Mattagami, Brunswick House, Chapleau Ojibwe, Chapleau Cree, Constance Lake and Aroland First Nations were transferred to "Division A" of NAPS.
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service gained responsibility for the OPP
s Northwest Patrol Unit on June 1, 1998, excluding the communities of Big Trout Lake
, Weagamow
, Muskrat Dam
, and Pikangikum
. An Operations Transition Committee was formed to oversee the transfer of administrative and operations matter between NAPS and the OPP. The transition was complete on April 1, 1999.
s, and many officers in the force do not have permanent residences or live in crowded conditions. On February 25, 2008 Chief Jonathan Soloman of Kashechewan First Nation gave the Government of Ontario
30 days to start relieving the situation or he would pull his community out of the NAPS policing agreement. On March 26, 2008, Kashechewan First Nation Chief Jonathan Soloman extended the deadline to April 17, 2008 after receiving indication that the Canadian and Ontario governments were interested in resolving the policing issue in NAPS-served communities. As of April 17, 2008, negotiations were underway and going well.
Out of 35 detachments, only the Moose Cree First Nation
detachment meets building codes.A fire at the Kashechewan First Nation
detachment on January 9, 2006 severely injured an officer and killed two inmates as they could not be rescued.
The Kasabonika First Nation
detachment was closed in early February 2008 as it lacked running water and relied on a wood fire in a 170 litre drum to heat the facility. Holding cells lacked toilet facilities, requiring detainees to use a slop bucket. Prisoners now must be flown to Sioux Lookout
, costing as much as $
10,000 per trip.
NAPS has an annual budget of $23,000,000, and the estimated cost to replace or renovate ageing detachments would cost approximately $34,000,000.
as a result of insufficient funding. The documentary was made by Deputy Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald, who hopes the film will get attention from the federal and provincial governments to help rectify the situation. The film shows officers living in motels, and using wood blocks to hold inmates in their cells.
. It has regional offices in Cochrane
and Sioux Lookout
.
Northwest Region
Northeast Region
NAPS is the most autonomous policing service in Canada, and its jurisdiction covers two-thirds of Ontario. It is the largest First Nations police force in Canada, and the second largest in North America. It is one of two police services in Ontario to have its own plane.
NAPS receives 48% of its funding from the government of Ontario
Government of Ontario
The Government of Ontario refers to the provincial government of the province of Ontario, Canada. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867....
, and 52% from the government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
.
History
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service was formed on January 14, 1994 when the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Services Agreement was signed by the governments of Canada, Ontario, and the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. The primary goal of the agreement is the establishment of an aboriginal policing service to provide efficient, effective and culturally appropriate policing to the Nishnawbe-Aski communities.The first phase of the agreement began on April 1, 1994 and lasted four years, when all First Nation constable positions were transferred to NAPS as "Division A". Phase two began on January 1, 1998 when Wahgoshig, Matachewan, Mattagami, Brunswick House, Chapleau Ojibwe, Chapleau Cree, Constance Lake and Aroland First Nations were transferred to "Division A" of NAPS.
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service gained responsibility for the OPP
Ontario Provincial Police
The Ontario Provincial Police is the Provincial Police service for the province of Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The OPP is the the largest deployed police force in Ontario, and the second largest in Canada. The service is responsible for providing policing services throughout the province in areas...
s Northwest Patrol Unit on June 1, 1998, excluding the communities of Big Trout Lake
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug , also known as Big Trout Lake First Nation or KI for short, is a First Nations community in Northwestern Ontario. Part of Treaty 9...
, Weagamow
North Caribou Lake First Nation
North Caribou Lake First Nation or Weagamow First Nation, sometimes also known as Round Lake First Nation, is an Oji-Cree First Nation located in Kenora District in northern Ontario, Canada. It is approximately 320 km or 202 air miles north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario...
, Muskrat Dam
Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation
The Muskrat Dam Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation in Northern Ontario. They reside on the Muskrat Dam Lake reserve, located on Muskrat Dam Lake in the Kenora District. The community of Muskrat Dam, Ontario, is located on this reserve...
, and Pikangikum
Pikangikum First Nation
The Pikangikum First Nation is an Ojibwe First Nation located on the Pikangikum 14 Reserve, in Unorganized Kenora District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada...
. An Operations Transition Committee was formed to oversee the transfer of administrative and operations matter between NAPS and the OPP. The transition was complete on April 1, 1999.
Hardships
Due to a lack of funding, many NAPS detachments fail to meet national building codeBuilding code
A building code, or building control, is a set of rules that specify the minimum acceptable level of safety for constructed objects such as buildings and nonbuilding structures. The main purpose of building codes are to protect public health, safety and general welfare as they relate to the...
s, and many officers in the force do not have permanent residences or live in crowded conditions. On February 25, 2008 Chief Jonathan Soloman of Kashechewan First Nation gave the Government of Ontario
Government of Ontario
The Government of Ontario refers to the provincial government of the province of Ontario, Canada. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867....
30 days to start relieving the situation or he would pull his community out of the NAPS policing agreement. On March 26, 2008, Kashechewan First Nation Chief Jonathan Soloman extended the deadline to April 17, 2008 after receiving indication that the Canadian and Ontario governments were interested in resolving the policing issue in NAPS-served communities. As of April 17, 2008, negotiations were underway and going well.
Out of 35 detachments, only the Moose Cree First Nation
Moose Cree First Nation
The Moose Cree First Nation is a Cree First Nation in northern Ontario, Canada. Since time immemorial, their traditional territory is on the west side of James Bay...
detachment meets building codes.A fire at the Kashechewan First Nation
Kashechewan First Nation
The Kashechewan First Nation is a Cree First Nation located near James Bay in Northern Ontario, Canada. The community is located on the northern shore of the Albany River. Kashechewan First Nation is one of two communities that were established from Old Fort Albany in the 1950s...
detachment on January 9, 2006 severely injured an officer and killed two inmates as they could not be rescued.
The Kasabonika First Nation
Kasabonika First Nation
Kasabonika Lake First Nation or Kasabonika First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. There are no roads into the community and the only access is through Kasabonika Airport...
detachment was closed in early February 2008 as it lacked running water and relied on a wood fire in a 170 litre drum to heat the facility. Holding cells lacked toilet facilities, requiring detainees to use a slop bucket. Prisoners now must be flown to Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Sioux Lookout is a town in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It has a population of 5,336 and an elevation of 1280 ft / 390 m. Known locally as the "Hub of the North", it is serviced by the Sioux Lookout Airport, Highway 72, and the Sioux Lookout railway station...
, costing as much as $
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
10,000 per trip.
NAPS has an annual budget of $23,000,000, and the estimated cost to replace or renovate ageing detachments would cost approximately $34,000,000.
"A Sacred Calling"
A Sacred Calling is an 18 minute documentary which focuses on the difficulties of policing remote NAN communities in Northern OntarioNorthern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
as a result of insufficient funding. The documentary was made by Deputy Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald, who hopes the film will get attention from the federal and provincial governments to help rectify the situation. The film shows officers living in motels, and using wood blocks to hold inmates in their cells.
Detachments
Detachments are located in 35 communities. Its headquarters are located at 2027 Derek Burney Drive in Thunder BayThunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
. It has regional offices in Cochrane
Cochrane, Ontario
Cochrane is a town in northern Ontario, Canada. It is located east of Kapuskasing, northeast of Timmins, south of Moosonee, and north of Iroquois Falls. It is about a one-hour drive from Timmins, the major city of the region. It is the seat of Cochrane District...
and Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Sioux Lookout is a town in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It has a population of 5,336 and an elevation of 1280 ft / 390 m. Known locally as the "Hub of the North", it is serviced by the Sioux Lookout Airport, Highway 72, and the Sioux Lookout railway station...
.
Northwest Region
- Bearskin Lake First NationBearskin Lake First NationBearskin Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in the Kenora District 425 kilometres north of Sioux Lookout. Bearskin First Nation's total registered population in September, 2007, was 831, of which their on-reserve population was 423.Three...
- Cat Lake First NationCat Lake First NationCat Lake First Nation is an Ojibwa community approximately 180 kilometres northwest of Sioux Lookout in northwestern Ontario. Wasaya Airways run daily on regular schedules. Winter/ice roads also connects from Pickle Lake, Ontario, via Northern Ontario Resource Trail during the winter months, which...
- Deer Lake First NationDeer Lake First NationDeer Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation in Northern Ontario, located north of Red Lake, Ontario. It is one of the few First Nations in Ontario to have signed Treaty 5. It is part of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation...
- Eabametoong First NationEabametoong First NationEabametoong, also known as Fort Hope, is an Ojibway First Nation in Kenora District, Ontario, Canada. Located on the shore of Eabamet Lake in the Albany River system, the community is located approximately 300 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay and is accessible only by airplane to Fort Hope...
- Fort Severn First Nation
- Kasabonika First NationKasabonika First NationKasabonika Lake First Nation or Kasabonika First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. There are no roads into the community and the only access is through Kasabonika Airport...
- Keewaywin First NationKeewaywin First NationKeewaywin is a small Oji-Cree community in Northern Ontario, located north of Red Lake, Ontario. It is connected to Sandy Lake First Nation by Sandy Lake. It is part of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council and the Nishnawbe Aski Nation...
- Kingfisher First NationKingfisher First NationKingfisher First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located north of Sioux Lookout, Ontario. It is accessible by air all year round, waterways during summer and ice roads in winter...
- Lansdowne House First Nation
- Mishkeegogamang First NationMishkeegogamang First NationMishkeegogamang First Nation, also known as New Osnaburgh, Osnaburgh House, Osnaburgh or "Oz" for short, is an Ojibwa First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is located on Highway 599 in the Kenora District, approximately 20 kilometres south of Pickle Lake...
- Muskrat Dam First Nation
- Nibinamik First NationNibinamik First NationNibinamik First Nation , also known as Summer Beaver Band, is a small Oji-Cree First Nation in Northern Ontario, located on the Summer Beaver Settlement that is connected to the rest of the province by its airport, and a winter/ice road that leads to the Northern Ontario Resource...
- North Spirit Lake First NationNorth Spirit Lake First NationNorth Spirit Lake First Nation is a small Oji-Cree community in Northern Ontario, located north of Red Lake, Ontario. It is connected to Sandy Lake First Nation, and Deer Lake First Nation by winter/ice roads...
- Poplar Hill First NationPoplar Hill First NationPoplar Hill First Nation is an Anishinaabe First Nation located in Northern Ontario, approximately 120 km north of Red Lake, Ontario near the Ontario-Manitoba border. The First Nation is accessible by air and winter road...
- Sachigo Lake First NationSachigo Lake First NationSachigo Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation in Unorganized Kenora District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It is located on Sachigo Lake, part of the Sachigo River system and Hudson Bay drainage basin, approximately north of the town of Sioux Lookout...
- Sandy Lake First NationSandy Lake First NationSandy Lake First Nation is an independent Oji-Cree First Nation. The First Nation community, in the west part of Northern Ontario, is located in the Kenora District, northeast of Red Lake, Ontario. Its registered population in June 2007 was 2,474...
- Slate Falls First NationSlate Falls First NationSlate Falls is a First Nation in Ontario....
- Wapekeka First NationWapekeka First NationWapekeka First Nation is a First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario. An Oji-Cree community in the Kenora District, the community is located approximately 450 kilometres northeast of Sioux Lookout...
- Webequie First NationWebequie First NationWebequie First Nation is located on the northern peninsula of Eastwood Island on Winisk Lake, 540 km north of the city of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Webequie is a fly-in community with no summer road access. The primary way into the community is by air to Webequie Airport or winter road, which...
- Wunnumin Lake First NationWunnumin Lake First NationWunnumin Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation located 360 km northeast of Sioux Lookout in Ontario, Canada...
Northeast Region
- Aroland First NationAroland First NationAroland is an Ojibwa and Oji-Cree First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in the Thunder Bay District approximately 20 kilometres west of Nakina...
- Attawapiskat First NationAttawapiskat First NationAttawapiskat First Nation is an isolated First Nation located in Kenora District in northern Ontario, Canada, at the mouth of the Attawapiskat River at James Bay...
- Brunswick House First NationBrunswick House First NationBrunswick House First Nation is an Ojibway-Cree First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in the Sudbury District, northeast of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. The First Nation have reserved for themselves the Mountbatten 76A Indian Reserve and the Duck Lake 76B Indian Reserve...
- Chapleau Cree First NationChapleau Cree First NationChapleau Cree First Nation is a Mushkegowuk Cree First Nation located by Chapleau Township, Sudbury District, Ontario, Canada. The First Nation have reserved for themselves the Chapleau 75 Indian Reserve and the Chapleau Cree Indian Reserve...
- Chapleau Ojibway First NationChapleau Ojibway First NationThe people of Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation live on the only Ojibway based reserve in the Chapleau area. Their historical kinship and relationship with the land therefore draws them west to the shores of Lake Superior and south to the shores of Lake Huron, rather than north into Cree territory to...
- Constance Lake First NationConstance Lake First NationConstance Lake First Nation is an Oji-Cree First Nation in Cochrane District in northeastern Ontario, Canada, directly north of the community of Calstock along a continuation of Ontario Highway 663...
- Fort Albany First Nation
- Kashechewan First NationKashechewan First NationThe Kashechewan First Nation is a Cree First Nation located near James Bay in Northern Ontario, Canada. The community is located on the northern shore of the Albany River. Kashechewan First Nation is one of two communities that were established from Old Fort Albany in the 1950s...
- Marten Falls First NationMarten Falls First NationMarten Falls First Nation is an Anishinaabe First Nation located in northern Ontario. The First Nation occupies communities on both sides of the Albany River in Northern Ontario, including Ogoki Post in the Cochrane District and Marten Falls in the Kenora District...
- Matachewan First Nation
- Mattagami First NationMattagami First NationThe Mattagami First Nation is an Anishnaabe First Nation in the Canadian province of Ontario. The First Nation members of the community primarily live on the Mattagami 71 reserve in the Sudbury District near Gogama...
- Moose Factory First Nation
- New Post First Nation
- Peawanuck First Nation
- Wahgoshig First NationWahgoshig First Nation-Services:For the Abitibi village of about 25 ha, the First Nation provides the following services:* band office* health clinic* warehouse / fire hall* public works garage* community hall...
Governance
The Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is governed by a board consisting of a representative of each Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Tribal Council. An independent review board ensures accountability to the public.External links
- Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service
- "A Sacred Calling" Documentary video. Retrieved 2010.05.21