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Two critically injured in Eabametoong assault

Ontario Provincial Police are assisting the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service with an assault investigation after two victims were airlifted to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The assault happened in the area of Albany River Crescent in Eabametoong at around 3:30 am Sunday morning.

The OPP North West Region Crime Unit and NAPS are continuing the investigation, under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB). Assistance is being provided by the NAPS Crime Unit, NAPS Emergency Response Team, OPP Forensic Identification Services, NAPS Forensic Identification Services and the NAPS Police Liaison Team.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips are accepted at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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Three women charged in $150,000 Nibinamik drug bust

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Officers from the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service seized nearly $150,000 worth of cocaine and crack cocaine in a search of two Nibinamik First Nation homes.

Three women, one from Winnipeg and two Nibinamik locals, are charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

The woman from Winnipeg appeared for a bail hearing on Tuesday and was remanded into custody with a future court date. The other two suspects have been released from custody with conditions and a future court date. The names of suspects are withheld until charges against them have been sworn in before the courts.

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Preliminary hearing begins for Anishinabie murder case

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The following story contains sensitive subject matter that may be upsetting to readers.

The preliminary court hearing for the murder of 42-year old Deborah Anishinabie is underway.

25-year old Levi Lawson was charged with indignity to a human body in December 2024 and second-degree murder in January 2025 in relation to her death.

“Today we remember Deborah as the loving friend, sister and mother that she was: full of strength and kindness, and deeply connected to her family and community,” the Anishinabie family said in a statement before Wednesday’s hearing. “She could light up any room, and we always welcomed her contagious laugh. She had a wonderful way of making people feel that they were seen, heard, and loved. She was devoted to her family, as we were to her. She will forever be in our hearts.”

Anishinabie’s body was found in Thunder Bay in the vicinity of the 800 block of Finlayson Street and the 400 block of McKellar Street North in December 2024.

In September, provincial police, the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS), and the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service conducted a search for further evidence at the Thunder Bay Solid Waste and Recycling Facility.

The search concluded in November. TBPS released a statement a month later saying no new evidence was discovered.

“Providing closure for the family has been our priority,” said TBPS chief Darcy Fleury in a news release at the time. “Conducting this search was both necessary and appropriate, regardless of the outcome.”

Anishinabie was from Sandy Lake First Nation. According to the federal government, Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people are 12 times more likely to go missing or be murdered than non-Indigenous women in Canada as of June 2024.

Anishinabie was a graduate of the Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute, where she completed the Personal Support Worker program.

“She had much love to give, and she poured every ounce of her compassion into her work and the people she cared for,” her family said. “We appreciate everyone who have joined with us in ceremony and supported us throughout this difficult process. May the Creator give us all the strength to get through the difficult days ahead.”

City police have provided the following resources for those impacted by the investigation:

  • Beendigen: Crisis Line: 807-346-HELP (4357) or 1-888-200-9997
  • Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre: 807-345-5840 or 1-855-345-5840
  • NAN Hope 1-844-NAN-HOPE (626-4673)
  • Ontario Native Women’s Association: 1-800-667-0816
  • Anishnawbe Mushkiki: Phone: 807-623-0383
  • Thunder Bay and Area Victim Services: 807-684-1051

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Three charged in $233,000 drug bust

Three suspects are facing charges after $233,000 of cocaine and cash were seized from a Keeywaywin First Nation home.

Members of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service Intelligence Unit and Emergency Response Team executed the bust.

Police located and seized an estimated $211,000 worth of suspected cocaine, a rifle, $32,000 in cash, and paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking.

Of the three suspects, one is from Winnipeg and two are from Keeywaywin First Nation.

All three are being charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and unauthorized possession of a firearm among other felonies.

One remains in custody; the others were released with conditions and a later court date.

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Man charged with uttering threats after Eabametoong incident

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A man is facing charges after a stand-off with police at a home in Eabametoong First Nation on Tuesday.

Nishnawbe Aski Police working out of the Eabametoong First Nation detachment say officers were called in the early hours to a disturbance outside of a residence in the community.

Responding officers learned that a man had been making threats but had fled into a home.

While inside the home, the suspect threatened to use a firearm and police evacuated other nearby homes to maintain safety.

Police say around two hours later, the suspect left the home and was taken into custody without incident.

As a result, a 44-year-old Eabametoong First Nation man is being charged with uttering threats.

He was remanded into custody and will appear in court at a later date.