5 May 2021
Pikangikum, Ontario – A Band Council Resolution (BCR) issued by Pikangikum First Nation Chief and Council has restored Police and nursing services for the remote community following an almost six-week impasse. After serious misconduct allegations, leadership expelled the OPP resulting in the government Nurses being evacuated nightly from the community citing “safety concerns”.
Chief Owen stated that “after learning about the allegations, our leadership acted decisively on behalf of our Community members. While we understand the government’s concern for the safety of their nurses, we have trouble understanding their safety versus the safety of 3,800 in-community members. This experience has opened our eyes to several gaps in terms of policing, health care and first response services that unfortunately exist in Pikangikum, but not in municipalities of smaller populations.”
Dryden, ON, Canada / CKDR
May 6, 2021 5:58 AM
The Special Investigations Unit is appealing for witnesses to come forward as it continues to investigate allegations of sexual assault in Pikangikum First Nation.
Officials are looking into two complaints that allege women were sexually assaulted by members of the OPP.
The SIU was contacted in March by Provincial Police to investigate allegations of misconduct.
That came at a time when the OPP officers were kicked out of the community.
They returned this month with certain conditions in place.
Part of the agreement requires Provincial Police to work with the new Pikangikum Peacekeepers who were trained in response to what the community calls its “policing and nursing crisis.”
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OPP return to Pikangikum, SIU investigation continues Written by Ryan Forbes Thursday, May 06 2021, 5:00 AM Pikangikum Peacekeepers worked to keep their community safe over the past month, after members of the OPP were expelled. Photo courtesy of Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler.
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Officers with the OPP have returned to Pikangikum First Nation, but a provincial investigation into two sexual misconduct allegations will continue in the community.
Ten officers were expelled from the Pikangikum community nearly six weeks ago after a unanimously approved motion from Pikangikum’s Chief Dean Owen and band councillors on March 20, saying they became aware of ‘incidents involving constables that occurred in the community over many years .
PIKANGIKUM FIRST NATION, Ont. - The Special Investigations Unit is appealing for witnesses after being notified of allegations of sexual assault committed by members of the Ontario Provincial Police in Pikangikum First Nation.
The SIU received notice from the OPP on March 19, 2021 following two complaints alleging women in the community were sexually assaulted by members of the OPP.
Two investigators have been assigned to the case and the SIU is appealing to anyone with information that could aid in the investigation to come forward.
The SIU offers confidential assurance to ensure witness’s privacy and confidentiality rights are protected.
Anyone with information can contact the SIU at 1-800-787-8529 to complete the Appeal for Witness form on the SIU website.
Provincial Police have returned to Pikangikum, after the community expelled OPP over "serious misconduct allegations." They were kicked out of the com.