Rick Garrick — Wawatay News

Nishnawbe Aski Police Service is looking for better engagement in the community after four officers completed the Police Cyclist Course.

As community members raise concerns about growing prescription drug abuse problems, police continue to charge drug dealers.
“In the past year the Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit (has) investigated 149 drug investigations netting over $4 million worth of drugs and money and have laid over 150 charges,” said Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Sgt. Jackie George.
“That’s more than 6,300 Oxy pills, along with approximately 240 grams of cocaine and approximately 120 pounds of marijuana.”

Chippewas of Rama First Nation ‘crapped out’ in their Supreme Court of Canada appeal of the 35 per cent Casino Rama revenue case, rolling snake eyes instead of lucky seven.
The court ruled against Rama July 8, exhausting the final appeals of the community which hosts Casino Rama on its land.
The case stemmed from Rama’s belief it had a deal with the province of Ontario to receive 35 per cent of casino revenues in perpetuity after establishing the casino in 1996.
Afterwards, all funds were to be distributed under the 50-40-10 formula established in 1998.

The Sioux Lookout Ontario Provincial Police are reminding hockey fans and players to abide by municipal, provincial and federal laws during the Northern First Nations Hockey Tournament.
The Sioux Lookout OPP detachment reported a slight decrease in calls for service this year compared to previous years, but also noted an increase in arrests.
The detachment responded to 38 calls for service and 43 people were lodged at the detachment for various offences on March 17. Last year the OPP had 40 calls for service and 33 people were lodged on same day of the tournament.

The Aboriginal Youth Baseball Clinic was a hit with participants.
The Aboriginal Team Ontario organized clinic drew 35 Aboriginal youth who were given the opportunity to train with 30 of the top junior baseball players from around the world.
“It was actually pretty cool meeting them and having them teach us because they are professionals,” said Sabrina Angeconeb, a youth from Bearskin Lake who lives in Thunder Bay. “We learned new skills for baseball and softball.”