Open Letter from MKO – Letter to Minister of Justice and Attorney General: Resolution #2019-08-01: Termination of Airport Searches by Northern Airport and Marine Operations, Manitoba Infrastructure

July 7, 2020

The Honourable Cliff Cullen
Minister of Justice and Attorney General
110 Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8

Re: Resolution #2019-08-01: Termination of Airport Searches by Northern Airport and Marine Operations, Manitoba Infrastructure

Dear Minister Cullen,

As the Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Inc., I am writing on behalf of the First Nations of Northern Manitoba to follow up on an issue I had first raised with you in October 2019. Last year, MKO Chiefs passed Resolution #2019-08-01: Termination of Airport Searches by Northern Airport and Marine Operations, Manitoba Infrastructure.

In this resolution, which I have attached to this letter, the MKO Chiefs-in-Assembly call upon the Province of Manitoba to reinstate body and baggage searches at Northern Airports and Marino Operations airports by First Nation Safety Officers and/or RCMP Officers. I am asking for the Province of Manitoba to reinstate body and baggage searches or other measures consistent with the enforcement of First Nation alcohol and drug by-laws.

This issue has become especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the impact of various public health measures, addictions and bootlegging issues have come to the forefront for many MKO First Nations. I have a mandate to follow up on the resolution regarding body and baggage searches to help increase the safety and well-being of Northern citizens.

Provincial policy changes to support searches at the airports of remote First Nations need to be reinstated to combat the alcohol, drug, and opioid crisis. I am requesting we meet to discuss this issue. To arrange the meeting, please contact my assistant Clyde Flett by phone at (204) 390-2702 or by email at clyde.flett@mkonorth.com.

Sincerely,

Grand Chief Garrison Settee

Encl: Resolution #2019-08-01: Termination of Airport Searches by Northern Airport and Marine Operations, Manitoba Infrastructure

cc: MKO First Nations
The Honourable Eileen Clarke, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations, Manitoba

NT5