News

Winneway Aki, August 25, 2026 – Following the mobilization of Winneway community
members at the Ville-Marie courthouse yesterday, Long Point First Nation Chief Steeve
Mathias wishes to acknowledge the respect and consideration shown by the Court of
Québec toward the community, its concerns and its traditions.

Chief Mathias said he was deeply moved that Justice Nathalie Samson allowed him to
take his oath with an eagle feather before giving his testimony. In many First Nations
cultures, the eagle feather holds profound spiritual significance and symbolizes, among
other things, truth, honour and respect.

The judge also acknowledged the presence of community members who came to the
courthouse to support their Chief and express their concerns about public safety in
Winneway.

“What happened at the courthouse is very important to me and to our community. Being
able to take my oath with an eagle feather, in keeping with our traditions, was a gesture of
respect that deeply moved us. We felt that the Court was listening to us, that it understood
our concerns and respected who we are as Anicinabek. These are the kinds of actions
that make a meaningful contribution to reconciliation,” said Chief Steeve Mathias.

A stark contrast with more than 20 years of waiting

The Court ruled to prohibit Éric Bélanger from coming within a two kilometres radius of the
community of Winneway. He is also prohibited from communicating or having any contact
with Chief Mathias, his daughter or his grandchildren, and from possessing firearms for a
duration of twelve (12) months.

This decision carries particular significance for a community that has lived for more than
20 years without adequate police services. For years, Long Point First Nation has
repeatedly called on the governments of Quebec and Canada to provide police services
capable of adequately ensuring the safety of its members, yet no lasting solution has been
put in place.

In this context, the consideration and attentiveness demonstrated by the Court sent an
important signal to the community and those who profit from bringing illegal drugs and
other criminal activity into Winneway: the harm caused to the families, youth, and
community cannot be ignored. This represents an important step toward accountability
and sends a clear message that threats, intimidation and activities that endangers our
livelihood are not welcome and will be taken seriously.

“For more than 20 years, we have been asking governments to help us ensure the safety
of our community. Too often, we have felt that our concerns were not being heard.
Yesterday, for once, an institution clearly recognized our concerns and took action to protect our community. We felt that the Court stood with us in protecting our safety. We
are deeply grateful,” Chief Mathias concluded.

Long Point First Nation hopes that this recognition will mark a turning point and serve as
a reminder to the governments of Quebec and Canada of the urgent need to implement a
lasting solution so that the members of Winneway can benefit from adequate police
services and live safely in their community.

Together, Winneway makes its voice heard

Chief Mathias thanks the members of Winneway who came to the courthouse to show
their support.

“Our community came together in solidarity, and our voices were heard. I truly admire
everyone who stood with us. We are sending a clear message: when the safety of our
members is at risk, we will stand strong and act together. We caution those who traffic
illegal drugs into our community, engage in violence, intimidation and other criminal activity
will face serious legal consequences. Rest assured, our community will not remain silent.
We will never allow anyone to compromise the safety of our community and people,”
added Chief Mathias.

– 30 –

About Long Point First Nation
Long Point First Nation is an Anicinabe community located in the heart of the unceded
traditional territory known as Anicinabe akì. The majority of its members reside in
Winneway, on the south shore of the Winneway River, in the Témiscamingue region.

Media inquiries
Sandra Ataman
Sandra@ryanap.com
819-859-0280