First Nation chiefs call for Indigenous-led search unit for missing persons in northern Ontario

First Nation leaders across northern Ontario are calling for the launch of an Indigenous-led search-and-rescue pilot program after five missing people — three from Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) communities — were found dead in Thunder Bay this spring.

During their annual Keewaywin Conference on Thursday, chiefs with NAN, a political-territorial organization that represents 49 First Nations across Treaties 9 and 5, voted in favour of a NAN search-and-rescue pilot project.

The program, which would be called NAN SAR, would provide search co-ordination, trained search personnel and volunteers, family support, crisis response and other assistance when NAN members are reported missing in the region.

NAN itself cannot operate such a program due to its mandate as a political-territorial organization; however, it has committed to support a designated operator to lead this work.