Council to Allow Registered Lessees to Access Cottages

Following the recent decision to allow seasonal campers access to Cape Croker Park, the Council has also voted to allow registered recreational lessees (tenants) access to their leased cottage lots. Note that this applies to registered leases only. Private lease or rental arrangements, not registered with Indigenous Services Canada, remain prohibited under the State of Emergency declared by the Council, as the Band does not have safety monitoring mechanisms in place for private agreements.

The Lands Department recommended the partial re-opening, supported by the multi-phase Registered Recreational Cottage Lease Re-opening Plan. The Plan was reviewed by the Council, our health professionals, and the Community Emergency Response Group (CERG), with the primary focus of the reviews being public safety and keeping Neyaashiinigmiing free of COVID-19. The first phase of the Plan will be in effect from July 31, 2020 to August 16, 2020. The situation in the community and the Plan will be re-assessed during the initial period to determine when and whether to move on to the next phase.

Under the terms of Phase One of the Registered Recreational Cottage Lease Re-opening Plan, registered lessees and guests will be given letters of access to the community, on a weekly basis. Lessees and guests will be allowed to access their leased properties, with some limitations designed to limit their contact with Neyaashiinigmiing residents.

The conditions of the Registered Recreational Cottage Lease re-opening include the following:

  • Lessees must register all guests each week
  • Community access restricted to five (5) people per leased lot at any given time
  • Lot access restricted to five (5) people per leased lot at any given time
  • Lessee must stay on their leased lot unless away for essentials (fuel, food)
  • Lessees must maintain physical distancing when at local businesses
  • Lessee must wear a mask when at local businesses and elsewhere on reserve
  • A Code of Conduct must be signed and kept on file at the leased site
  • Lessees must arrive at community during their registered days
  • The list of registered lessees and guests will be provided to Chippewas of Nawash Guardians at the monitoring station.
  • Lessees must display a validly issued vehicle access pass on the dashboards of their vehicles.
  • Public beach areas, docks and public areas of gathering will be off limits to non-member, non-resident lessees and guests at this time.
  • Trails on reserve lands are closed to non-member, non-resident guests and lessees
  • Infractions of terms will result in revocation of access letters for remainder of season

The situation in the community is continually being evaluated by the Administration and the Community Emergency Response Group, which makes recommendations to Council on steps forward during the pandemic. The implementation of the Registered Recreational Cottage Lease Re-opening Plan will be similarly assessed to assure that it is meeting the goals of keeping the community safe and respecting the rights of registered lessees. The Plan may be adjusted to accommodate new conditions as they arise.

Please contact Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Lands Department at 519-534-1689 if you have questions.

Council Extends Neyaashiinigmiing State of Emergency to July 31

The Council voted today to once again extend the State of Emergency for Neyaashiinigmiing, until July 31. This decision comes on the heels of Ontario extending the Provincial State of Emergency until July 15th. The Council is giving safety the highest priority as Neyaashiinigmiing has a higher percentage of older and health-compromised residents who would be particularly at risk if COVID-19 were to enter the community. Following the existing protocol, Neyaashiinigmiing’s State of Emergency will be reassessed prior to July 31 and a determination made at that time whether the community can and should be safely reopened.

Under the extended State of Emergency, access to Neyaashiinigmiing will remain restricted to residents and registered members.

The Cape Croker Park will remain closed at this time to all campers, including seasonal renters. Seasonal renters of Cape Croker Park lots should contact Nathan Keeshig, Park Manager, with questions or concerns.

Non-members who are leasing or renting properties in Neyaashiinigmiing are asked to respect our closure, which is being mandated for the health and safety of residents. Non-members who are not normally resident in the community will not be admitted at this time. Questions regarding rented or leased properties may be directed to Larissa Johnston, Lands Manager.