Details scarce on 'freedom movement' occupation of Garden River healing lodge

Garden River First Nation says programming will eventually resume at the Dan Pine Healing Lodge after a group it referred to as the ‘freedom movement occupied the lodge for a four-day stretch beginning last week. 

The group - made up of Garden River First Nation members and individuals from outside of the community - voluntarily left the lodge Sunday, according to Anishinabek Police Service Sgt. Chris Thibodeau. 

No charges were laid as a result of the incident.   

“Everybody worked collaboratively together and came up with solutions that resulted in a peaceful ending to it,” Thibodeau said while speaking with SooToday Monday.  

In a community notice posted to social media Monday, Garden River First Nation thanked police, in addition to elders, families and community members “who were there to provide guidance and assist in resolving the concerns” at the healing lodge. 

The notice informed community members that the First Nation’s health team will "properly cleanse" the lodge in order to resume programming put on hold due to the incident.

“Chief and council will also be determining next steps to implement proper guiding principles and protocols to ensure that we do not repeat what transpired at the lodge,” said the notice. “The commitment is in place that recognizes the challenges and issues brought to the forefront of these events and we will work towards a collective effort to address some of the issues that came out during this time. 

“We also want to remind those community members that are not Garden River band members to be mindful that you are guests here in our community. We are concerned that visitors and other individuals who are not part of Garden River First Nation are taking it upon themselves to disrespect and disregard the protocols and processes that we have in place in our community.” 

Anishinabek Police Service attended the lodge on a daily basis after the group arrived late Wednesday afternoon. 

“We were there every day checking in, making sure things were good, because chief and council were aware of those people being there. It was a matter of making sure everything was okay,” Thibodeau said.

Garden River First Nation condemned the actions of the group in a previous community notice posted to social media Feb. 4. 

"These individuals were permitted entry to the lodge using fabricated information to book an appointment with staff," said the notice. "We are not aware of their health status, which poses a safety concern to all staff and vulnerable clients who attend the lodge for healing and support service.

"Honesty is a very sacred component to the grandfather teachings, which has not been shown throughout this entire time along with many of the other guiding principles. Chief and council will not tolerate any activities that do not go through the proper process and protocols and will address this situation with those individuals accordingly."

Garden River First Nation Chief Andy Rickard hasn't responded to SooToday’s requests for comment.

Two members of the group that occupied the healing lodge declined comment when reached by phone Monday. One of the group members contacted by SooToday said they would be able to talk later this week following consultation with elders. 

- with files from Kenneth Armstrong