The rift between protestors and Atikameksheng Anishnawbek leadership is widening

A week after aprotest began, the situation reached a stalemate.

A group of protestors calling themselves Atikameksheng Strongsay they won't leave the entrance to the community until they get to vote on the distribution of the treaty settlement.Atikameksheng Anishnawbek's chief and council say a referendum is out of the question.

Earlier this year, the First Nation's leadership voted to distribute 46 per cent of the community's $383-million share of the Robinson Huron Treaty settlement for past annuities directly to individuals. It meant there was aone-time $100,000 payment, and the rest of the money was put in a collective trust.

Protestors say the decision on what is collective and what is individual should've been decided on in a community-wide referendum as opposed to a vote of chief and council.

As both sides dig in their heels, Atikameksheng Strong is preparing to spend the first months of winter at the entrance of the community.

They've now brought in portable toilets, furniture and propane burners.

"We're maintaining the line 24/7," said Patrick McCoy, one of the organizers of the protest. "We will stay here until we get the right to vote."

Incidents reported to police

The protestors are calling their gathering an "assembly" while the chief and council describe it as a "blockade."

Atikameksheng Strong's protest camp has forced the closure of one lane on the bridge leading into the community, but traffic can still go through.

The First Nation's chief, Craig Nootchtai, was stopped by protestors for ten minutes at the entrance of the community on November 21, 2024.

A statement from chief and council released Sunday describes this as "detainment" and says leadership has been subject to online threats.

Atikameksheng Police say they've received a request to investigate these incidents.

McCoy says he's aware some members of Atikameksheng Strong have made comments that could be perceived as threatening.

"Like any movement, we have folks that are very passionate," he said.

"Some of them are from afar, they're not on the ground with us. They've made comments, we've removed those comments. We've spoken with them and their families."

Still, McCoy says the chief is using the incident to vilify the protestors and their demands.

"To make it seem like this is what Atikameksheng Strong is all about is absolutely false."

In the statement, chief and council go on to say they will not meet with any of the protestors as an investigation is ongoing.

"Gimaa(chief) and Council remain firm in their position on the originally approved [Robinson Huron Treaty individual payment] and will not entertain a vote for a second payment," reads the statement.

"Gimaa and Council will meet with all Debendaagziwaad (community members) to discuss the [Robinson Huron Treaty individual payment] decision sometime in early 2025 and this will be the final meeting regarding this topic."