FORT WILLIAM FIRST NATION - There was a long lineup of cars at one gas station located on Fort William First Nation, while all others remained closed as ordered by the band council.
First Class Gas opened Monday morning after being closed for two weeks. Fort William First Nation council ordered a 24-hour curfew on the territory on April 10, which included the closure of all vendors. That order was extended to at least May 1 late last week.
But First Class Gas announced it would be opening on Monday and numerous customers travelled to the gas bar located on Fort William First Nation territory in the morning.
“It’s really touching,” said general manager Roy Pelletier. “My dad and I are both pretty emotional about it this morning. The community of Thunder Bay has supported us for 45 years and we really appreciate it.”
Pelletier said he is an essential service and taking all necessary precautions including customers remaining in cars and debit machines on poles.
“It’s a difficult situation for everyone,” he said. “It’s very hard for me to say what to expect. I wanted to get reopened because we are an essential service and it is our duty to be open for our customers. They have supported us for 45 years so it’s time for us to support them in a time of crisis.”
Last week, Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins said the bylaw will be enforced and anyone not authorized to be on the territory should not be on the territory.
Collins was not available for an interview on Monday but said he and council will be meeting and discussing the subject of businesses opening during the curfew and any penalties.
Pelletier said they did seek a legal opinion and were told to reopen.
“We believe we could operate here safely,” he said. “On being on the very far border of Fort William First Nation and the measures we put in place, we are more than kilometer from where the First Nation decided to set up a blockade.”
A ride program conducted by Anishinabek Police Services on Chippewa Road greeted those travelling to shop at First Class Gas.
Sgt. Rob Pelletier with APS said they were not issuing tickets but just educating people about the bylaw in effect.
“The public has been responding well,” he said. “Like I said, we have been educating them, letting them know that no unauthorized people are to attend Fort William First Nation. There are potential charges for violation of the band bylaw.”
“We are not stopping anyone or turning them away. We are educating them on what the band bylaw is and potential consequences.”
All other vendors on Fort William First Nation remain closed until at least May 1. Roy Pelletier said a trust has been set up and $1,000 of sales per day from First Class Gas while it is open will be added and that can be accessed by vendors on the territory that are not open.
