On October 7, 2021, Chief and Council invited Community Members and Fredericton City Police to discuss the ongoing drug issue within the community. This meeting arose as result of an overnight event in the community where a group of citizens addressed concerns with certain residents and a number of non-citizens creating an unsafe environment for youth and other community members. The meeting was opened and closed with remarks by Elder Maggie Paul, who emphasized the significance of community and family to address these chronic problems within the community. TJ Burke, legal counsel for St. Mary’s First Nation (SMFN) was also present, providing insight into what the legal processes are for handling those involved in criminal acts within the community and its homes.

One citizen raised concerns around the discovery of a non-citizen who was subject to house arrest being found in one of the homes targeted by the group. That individual wasn’t immediately recognized by police as being a person of interest, but upon investigation, was found to likely be in violation of their release terms and the Fredericton City Police will be investigating their activities in the household.

Citizens raised concerns around a variety of issues related to the drug trade, ranging from the effects these substances have on the community, youth, and families to the implications of vigilantism on the mental health of members in the community. Legal counsel advised that removing people from homes on reserve is not easy without the existence of a bylaw, and members of Chief and Council noted these bylaws would be worked on, but due to delays on the part of the federal government of Canada, there may be delays in implementation.

Fredericton City Police had multiple representatives at the meeting, clarifying that it’s very clear both Chief and Council as well as the community as a whole want something to be done about the growing threat of drugs within the community. Citizens were urged to contact the police if they have any information to share regarding the ongoings at these homes and ensured that any information provided to the police would be kept confidential both in the courts and in the police department. Information is the most crucial part of seeking a search warrant for a home, per the police, and while not all information may be critical to an investigation, it never hurts to have details. Information can be provided anonymously by contacting police at +1 (506) 460-2300 (Non-emergency line) any time.

“Everybody knows who the drug dealers are, we’re just as frustrated, more frustrated even, and we want to go to those doors and kick them in and arrest the drug dealers. But it’s not that easy,” said one officer, adding: “We need that information, call us, we want that information.”

“We’re all very much aware of this issue, we all have roles to play. Me as a person in recovery, a dad, a brother, son, friend and community member, I have something to do,” said Councillor Evan Sacobie, “We’ve all known those people who were targeted last night, you don’t have to look far, you can see how powerful [those drugs] are. I’ve known them, the people closer to them do as well. The cops are here to enforce their laws, and Chief and Council will pass bylaws to empower them.”

There will be additional opportunities to devise plans for the interim until the necessary bylaws and policies to address the drug problem are implemented. Until then, citizens who wish to protest outside of homes are requested to do so when it is safe (during daylight hours) and in a non-violent manner, with several suggestions to bring drums and maintain distance from the homes.

Elder Maggie Paul closed the meeting with a prayer and said: “We speak loudly, we’re not just hollering. We’re all feeling the pain, it’s loud because it’s hard to get this out. It takes time, we’re all hurting, we need to have more meetings, not every six months, but every month. We need to get this many people gathered, double or triple this in order to help what’s going on,” adding “We need to start thinking about the children (…) we need to use our medicine, what’s in our hearts, we have to connect it to our spirit. We know what to do after we do that.”

Elder Paul closed: “No more talking with the person next to you about those other people. We need to focus on lifting each other up.”

Another discussion between Chief and Council and community members will take place next week, Tuesday, October 12, 2021, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Maqiyahtimok. Citizens of St. Mary’s are always welcome to reach out to band administration as well as Chief and Council with concerns by calling the band office or emailing them via the emails listed on the community website.