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Lac Seul First Nation

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Lac Seul woman charged with drunk driving after off-road rollover

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At around 3:30 am Thursday morning, members of the Lac Seul Police Service found an off-road vehicle on its side near Frenchman’s Head Road.

Three individuals were at the scene. Police say one passenger suffered an upper-body injury requiring urgent care. EMS attended and transported the injured individual to Sioux Lookout Hospital, where they were listed in serious but stable condition.

Officers identified the driver of the off-road vehicle, a 35-year old Lac Seul woman, who exhibited visible signs of alcohol impairment. She provided breath samples registering well over the legal limit of .08 and was charged with impaired driving. The second occupant also showed signs of extreme intoxication. Both individuals were transported to the Lac Seul Police Service Headquarters and lodged until sober.

The Lac Seul Police Service say they would like to remind community members of the serious risks associated with impaired driving and urges everyone to make safe, responsible choices when operating any motorized vehicle.

Lac Seul Police Service Seizure results

Police response to domestic disturbance leads to drug charges in Lac Seul First Nation

A police response to a domestic disturbance in Frenchman’s Head, a part of Lac Seul First Nation, has led to charges.

Officers were sent to a home on Wednesday in response to a call for assistance.

When officers arrived, they arrested a woman following an investigation.

The individual was on bail at the time for prior drug offences.

A man present at the home was also arrested for impeding the police investigation.

A search of the accused at the police station led to the discovery of illegal drugs in their possession.

Further investigation led to a search of the home where the arrests occurred, leading to the discovery of various illegal drugs, cash, and a replica gun.

As a result, a 24-year-old is facing the following charges:

  • Possession of a Schedule One substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
  • Failure to comply with a release order (four charges)
  • Possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Domestic mischief
  • Unauthorized possession of a weapon
  • Possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order

A 37-year-old is also facing the following charges:

  • Possession of a Schedule One drug for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
  • Obstruct a peace officer
  • Possession of an imitation weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Unauthorized possession of a weapon

Both of the accused remain in custody with a future court date.

The Lac Seul Police Service is continuing to investigate the situation.

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OPP Quiet About Lac Seul Death

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OPP have determined how a 50-year-old woman died in Lac Seul First Nation, but are not announcing her cause of death.

Officers started investigating Wanda Beardy’s death after they were called to a home in the First Nation on Monday morning for reports of a woman in medical distress.

A post-mortem examination was done on Wednesday.

They are still investigating the circumstances of her death.

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$30M Not Enough to Compensate Lac Seul First Nation

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The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled in favour of the Lac Seul First Nation, determining $30 million is not enough to account for the loss of their reserve land without considerations being given to the land’s value to the hydroelectricity project.

In 2017, Lac Seul originally sought over $500-million in compensation and damages.

The case sparked from part of the Lac Seul First Nation reserve land being flooded for a hydroelectricity project that began in the late 1920s. The project involved the governments of Manitoba, Ontario, and Canada.

Justice Andromache Karakstanis ordered the case to return to the Federal Court where the compensation will be reassessed. Chief Justice Wagner and Justices Abella, Moldaver, Brown, Rowe, Martin, and Kasirer all agreed.

Justice Suzanne Côté disagreed, believing the trial judge made no mistake when determining the $30 million compensation.

The majority of the judges stated:

“17% of the LSFN Reserve — 11,304 acres or approximately 4,575 hectares — is now permanently flooded. Homes were destroyed, as were wild rice fields, gardens, haylands, and gravesites. Fishing, hunting, and trapping were all impacted. The community was separated because one part of the reserve became an island. And, despite the sacrifices suffered by the community to make the hydroelectricity project possible, the reserve was not provided with electricity until the 1980s.”

Those that agreed there needed to be a greater compensation cited Canada’s “fiduciary duty” towards Indigenous people. This means the nation needs to act with in the best interest of Indigenous Peoples, especially if it concerns reserve land.

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SIU Clears Police In The Death Of Lac Seul Man

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Police have been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing in the 2019 death of a 38-year-old man in Lac Seul First Nation.

Joseph Martino, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit, says he wasn’t able to form reasonable grounds to believe a Provincial Police officer committed a criminal offence in the November 19th incident in Kejick Bay.

The SIU report states the complainant and his girlfriend barricaded themselves in a bedroom and were threatening to commit suicide.

Fearing for her safety, the women left the home and contacted police, who quickly set up a perimeter and established brief contact with the complainant.

The next day, the OPP’s Tactical Response Unit arrived and using a pole camera, officers were able to see the resident lying on a bed, covered in blankets and not moving.

Police became concerned and decided to enter the home.

Once officers were at the bedroom door, the complainant was ordered to show their hands. At that time, the resident fired a shotgun they had hidden under the blanket and ended their life.

The report also noted that, “Methamphetamine and Amphetamine toxicity”, was a significant condition contributing to the death but not causally related to the immediate cause of death.

Martino says ‘The officers on scene, led by the SO, did what they reasonably could to prevent any harm coming to the complainant. The fact that they were unable to do so is most unfortunate, but far from criminal.”

He adds “In the final analysis, the record establishes that the SO and TRU officers acted professionally throughout and did not cause or contribute to the Complainant’s death in any way that could attract criminal sanction. Accordingly, there is no basis for proceeding with criminal charges against the SO or any other officer in connection with the Complainant’s death, and the file is closed.”

 

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Lac Seul Reporting COVID Case In Sioux Lookout

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A statement released by Lac Seul First Nation indicates a case of COVID-19 in Sioux Lookout.

The Northwestern Health Unit has yet to confirm the report on the official Lac Seul community website.

The report has prompted the First Nation to enhance measures to combat the spread of the virus.

Only Lac Seul residents and essential staff will be allowed to enter the community and everyone is urged to stay at home as much as possible.

All band offices will be closed and non-essential staff will be working from home.

Here is the complete statement:

IMPORTANT COMMUNITY NOTICE

DATE: Wednesday, April 1, 2020 11:00PM

RE: Confirmed Case of COVID-19 in Sioux Lookout

FROM: Chief and Council of Lac Seul

Please be advised that Lac Seul Chief and Council and the Emergency Control Group have been made aware of a case of COVID-19 in Sioux Lookout. This memo is to advise the community that we are now moving into level Orange on the LSFN Alert Level, COVID-19 Response System Guide.

We will be moving to a level 2 office closure, which means that non-essential staff will be working from home and all band offices will be closed. Restricted access at the FMH Bridge will be in place. Only Lac Seul residents and essential staff will be permitted to enter the community. We strongly advise community members to stay at home as much as possible.

We will provide a more detailed update on Thursday, April 2.