At least 18 First Nations in northeastern Ontario close borders to keep outsiders and COVID-19 away – CBC

Ontario Provincial Police decline to comment on legality of First Nations blocking provincial highways

May 08, 2020

Brent Bissaillion’s job as chief of Serpent River First Nation now includes managing border crossings and hiring border guards.

It is one of at least 18 First Nations in northeastern Ontario to control access into their community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s really weird talking about it as a border. But it is our home, our territory, we want to protect it and it does have quote unquote ‘borders,'” says Bissaillion.

“I’m sure it’s weird for some Canadians to hear ‘First Nations set up their borders’ like ‘What? I thought we were in Canada.”

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/first-nations-borders-checkpoints-law-1.5557691