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God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-law By-law No. 2025-06-01 of the God's Lake First Nation Being a by-law to provide for the control of the use of intoxicants on the God's Lake FirSt Nation Reserves No 0933, 09634, 09765, 09373, 06444, 10171, 10172, 09795, 09920, 09963, 09796,09679,09738,09702,09703,09635,and09739.
Enacted on the 25th day of June, 2025. WHEREAS The God's Lake First Nation (hereafter "the First Nation") has and exercises an inherent, Aboriginal, and Treaty Right of self-determination that is recognized and affirmed by Articles 3, 4, 5, 34 and 35 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and is recognized, affirmed, and protected by the terms of Treaty Number 5;
AND WHEREAS the use, possession and selling of intoxicants on the Reserve lands of the First Nation is causing misery, disorder and devastation to the people and families of the First Nation and is a major source of serious social concerns and turmoil in the community including the neglect of children and abuse of Elders;
AND WHEREAS the abuse of intoxicants represents a major threat to the collective well-being of the First Nation and to the lives of its citizens and has been demonstrated to be a major contributor to ill-health, addictions, and social disorder within the community;
AND WHEREAS the First Nation considers it necessary to implement measures for the protection and safety of the community and residents of the First Nation;
AND WHEREAS under subsection 85.1(1) of the Indian Act, RSC 1985, c. 1-5, the First Nation as represented by the Council may make by-laws, not inconsistent with the Indian Act or with any regulation made by the Governor in Council or the Minister, for any or all of the following purposes:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01 ; Prohibiting the sale, barter, supply, or manufacture of intoxicants on the reserve of a band;
Prohibiting any person from being intoxicated on the reserve;
Prohibiting any person from having intoxicants in his/her possession on the reserve; and
Providing for exceptions to any of the prohibitions established pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c);
AND WHEREAS subsection 85.1 (4) of the Indian Act provides that every person who contravenes a by-law made under this section is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction, in the case of a by-law made under paragraph 85.1 (1 )(a), to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months or to both; and in the case of a by-law made under paragraph 85.1 (1 )(b) or paragraph 85.1(1)(c), to a fine of not more than $100 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three (3) months, or to both;
AND WHEREAS subsections 81 (1), (a), (c), (d), (q) and (r) of the Indian Act empower the Council of the First Nation to make bylaws to provide for the health of residents , the observance of law and order, the prevention of disorderly conduct and nuisances, with respect to any matter arising out of or ancillary to the exercise of powers under section 81, and the imposition on summary conviction of a fine or imprisonment for violation thereof;
AND WHEREAS subsection 81 ( 1) (p) of the Indian Act provides for the removal and punishment of persons trespassing on the Reserve or frequenting the Reserve for prohibited purposes;
AND WHEREAS a majority of the electors of First Nation who attended a special meeting of the First Nation convened by the God's Lake First Nation Council and taking place on June 25, 2025 which was called for the purpose of considering the contents of this by-law, assented to this by-law.
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God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01; NOW THEREFORE in accordance with s.85.1(1), s.85.1 (4) and s.81 (1) (a)(c)(d)(q)(p) and (r) of the Indian Act, the Council of the God's Lake First Nation hereby enacts as a by-law thereof as follows:
Part 1: Name
1.1
This by-law may be cited as the God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-law No. 2025-06-01.
Part 2: Publication
2.1
2.2
Upon enacting this by-law, Council shall publish in the First Nations Gazette: (a) this by-law; and (b) a certified copy of a statutory declaration confirming a majority of electors of the First Nation who voted at a special meeting pursuant to section 85.1 (2) of the Indian Act assented to the enactment of this by-law.
Upon the official publication of the by-law pursuant to section 2.1( a), Council may:
(a) Post this by-law on an Internet site maintained by the First Nation, to remain accessible at least until such date that it is repealed;
(b) Post this by-law in a public area in the First Nation Administration Building including a notice containing:
i. The date on which this by-law is in force; and ii. A summary of this by-law (c) Provide a copy of this by-law as soon as reasonably possible to the relevant Enforcement Officers, and to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (Manitoba Regional Office); or
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I I
God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-0S-01; (d) Post a copy of this by-law and the signage prov1 . d. i ng no tice of this by-law referred to at 6.3 at the terminals and places of business of all air service, ferry, deli . v ery and couri . e r servi . c es, transpo rt a t · I 0n s e rvices and similar entities which provide services to the First Nation and at junctions of road accesses to the First Nation.
Part 3: Interpretation
3.1
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
In this by-law
"Council" mean~ the Council of the First Nation as defined under subsection 2(1) of the Indian Act,
"Enforcement Officer" means an officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a First Nation Safety Officer or any officer or person appointed or recognized as having the powers and protections of a Peace Officer under the common law, an act of Parliament or an act of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba;
"First Nation" means the God's Lake First Nation as recognized by the Governor in Council as a "band" pursuant to section 2(1) of the Indian Act,
"First Nation Safety Officer" means a First Nation Safety Officer within the meaning of The Police Services Act, C.C.S.M. c. P94.5, part 7.2, as amended, and appointed by the First Nation further to a First Nation Safety Officer Operating Agreement;
"First Nation Safety Officer Operating Agreement" means the Operating Agreement for a First Nation Safety Officer Program between The Government of Manitoba, as represented by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Manitoba, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the First Nation in accordance with Part 7.2 of The Police Services Act, as amended or extended· '
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(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
U)
(k)
God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01; "Intoxicant" includes alcohol, alcoholic, spirituous, vinous, fermented malt, or other intoxicating liquor, or a combination of liquors and mixed liquor, a part of which is spirituous, vinous, fermented or otherwise, intoxicating, and all drinks or drinkable liquids and all preparations or mixtures capable of human consumption that are intoxicating, but does not include substances necessary for the purposes of the functioning or maintenance of commercial or business equipment or machinery;
"Intoxication" means when a person is in a state where his or her mental or physical capabilities are significantly affected by any intoxicant;
"Member" means a person whose name appears on the membership list of the First Nation or who is entitled to have their name appear on the membership list of the First Nation;
"MKO First Nations Justice Strategy Program" means the Program established through the Contribution Agreement for the MKO First Nations Justice Strategy Program between the Government of Manitoba, as represented by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Manitoba and the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc., as may be amended and renewed ;
"Possession" means "possession" within the meaning of subsection 4(3) of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c C-46;
"Reserve" means all those tracts of lands the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart for the use and benefit of the First Nation;
(I) "Resident" means those persons living on a Reserve, or entitled to live on a Reserve, including a Member, their spouse or common law partner and dependent children or any other person authorized by Council to live on the Reserve; ffr
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(m)
(n)
God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants Bv-Law No. 2025-06-01: "Supply" means to give, provide, sell, manufacture, barter or trade an intoxicant;
"Trespass" means the entry onto, or the presence on, the Reserve by a person for a prohibited purpose or without lawful justification.
Part 4: Authorization and Application 4.1 Pursuant to its inherent Indigenous and Treaty Right of self-determination and to the authority pursuant to sections 85.1(1) and (4), and section 81(1)(p) of the Indian Act, the Council at a duly convened meeting hereby enacts this God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-law 2025-06-01.
4.2
4.3
This by-law applies to the Reserves of the First Nation.
This by-law applies to all persons on the Reserve, including Members, Residents, and non-residents of the Reserve.
Part 5:
Prohibitions
Unlawful Consumption of Intoxicants
5.1 .
No person shall consume intoxicants or be intoxicated within the boundaries of a Reserve of the First Nation.
Unlawful Possession of Intoxicants
5.2
No person shall be in possession of an intoxicant within the boundaries of a Reserve of the First Nation.
Unlawful Purchase of Intoxicants
5.3
No person shall purchase an intoxicant within the boundaries of a Reserve of the First Nation.
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God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01: Unlawful Supply of Intoxicants
5.4
No person shall supply an intoxicant within the boundaries of a Reserve of the First Nation.
Exceptions
5.5·
No offence is committed against section 5 of this by-law where:
(a)
(b)
Part 6:
6.1
6.2
6.3
the intoxicant is possessed and administered as prescribed by a duly authorized medical professional, or as part of a harm reduction or addictions recovery program being delivered by a qualified person; or
the intoxicant is possessed solely for the purposes of the functioning or maintenance of commercial or business equipment.
Enforcement
Where an Enforcement Officer has reasonable and probable grounds to believe that any person on a Reserve may be committing an offence against this by-law, that Enforcement Officer may conduct a search of the person and any items immediately in their possession.
Every person entering or exiting the Reserve via automobile, boat, snowmobile, All Terrain Vehicle, or other vehicle, plane or vessel shall, at that time, if requested by an Enforcement Officer, make a declaration as to whether they have in their possession an intoxicant, whether on their person or among the luggage, bags, packages, or other containers being brought to or removed from the Reserve.
The First Nation may prominently post signs at points of access and egress to the Reserve lands to provide reasonable notice to all persons entering or who are present on the Reserve lands for any reason, including to Members, Residents and non-Residents, of the expectation that all persons will make the
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6.4
6.5
God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01; declaration set out at 6.2 and that a search of all persons may be conducted in the circumstances set out at 6.1;
Following a declaration under section 6.2, or a failure to declare under section 6.2, if an Enforcement Officer believes, on reasonable and probable grounds, that a person is contravening this by-law, that Enforcement Officer may:
(a)
(b)
Detain that person for a period of time sufficient to conduct a search for any intoxicant; and
Detain the luggage, bags, packages, or other containers being brought to or removed from the Reserve for a period of time sufficient to apply for a search warrant under section 103 of the Indian Act and for a period of time sufficient to execute a warrant issued by a Justice of the Peace under section 103.
The name of any Member, Resident, non-Resident or other person who is found to have any intoxicant on their person after a search is conducted and who pleads guilty or is convicted of an offence under this by-law shall be reported to the Chief and Council.
Part 7:
Offences, Penalties and Enforcement
Offences
7 .1
Except under section 6.2, a person who contravenes a provision of this by-law is guilty of an offence under this by-law.
Penalties
7. 2
Any person who contravenes sections 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3 of this by-law is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to:
(a)
a fine of not more than $100 (One Hundred Dollars).
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7-3
7 .4
7.5
God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01; Any person who was previously found guilty of contravening sections 5.1, 5-2 or 5.3 of this by-law on at least three occasions is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to:
(a)
(b)
a fine of not more than $100 (One Hundred Dollars); or
imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.
A person who contravenes section 5.4 of this by-law is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to:
(a)
(b)
a fine of not more than $1,000 (One Thousand Dollars); or
imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.
Unless determined otherwise, all fines under this section shall be set in accordance with the Schedule of Fines attached to and which forms a part of this by-law.
Enforcement
7.6
7.7
Enforcement Officers may issue a ticket in accordance with The Provincial Offences Act, CCSM c P160 to any person who the Enforcement Officer has reasonable grounds to believe has contravened any provision of this by-law;
All offences are subject to enforcement under The Provincial Offences Act, CCSM c P160 and all relevant regulations, as enacted or amended;
7.8 In addition to the penalties established in Section 7 of this by-law, the First Nation may take legal action necessary to bring about compliance with this by-law. Part 8:
8.1
Restorative Justice
Pursuantto Section 81(1)(a), (c), (r) and (q) of the Indian Act, and in keeping with the principles and objectives of the MKO First Nations Justice Strategy Program
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8.2
God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01; which provides the MKO First Nation communities with an alternative program that supports court diversions from the court system for youth and adults facing criminal charges, including summary conviction offences:
{a) all offences by a Member under this by-law may be examined in accordance with the principles and objectives of the MKO First Nations Justice Strategy Program regarding the appropriate penalties for the offence and to determine whether to:
(i) undertake restorative justice measures consistent with the MKO First Nations Justice Strategy Program; or (ii) pursue a summary conviction and impose penalties in accordance with the applicable provision of this by-law;
Notwithstanding section 8.1, any person who commits or is convicted of an offence under this by-law may have their tickets or charges diverted to an appropriate alternative restorative justice program.
Part 9: Non-residents of the Reserve in Contravention of this By-law 9.1 Pursuant to the authority of the Council flowing from section 81 (1 )(p) of The Indian Act:
(a) a person who is not a Member or Resident of the Reserve, who pleads guilty or is convicted of an offence under this by-law may be deemed to be trespassing and on the Reserve for a prohibited purpose and without lawful authorization;
(b) may be ordered by the Enforcement Officer to immediately leave the Reserve lands;
(c) should the person who is not a Member or Resident of the Reserve fail to leave the Reserve pursuant to this section, an Enforcement Officer may take
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God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01; immediate steps to remove the person from the Reserve; and
(d) any person removed subject to this section remains liable for the applicable penalty for the contravention and offence.
Part 10:
10.1
Authorizations
The Province of Manitoba may designate and authorize First Nation Safety Officers appointed by the First Nation to enforce this by-law pursuant to The Police Services Act, CCSM c P150, and associated regulations as enacted or amended.
10.2 The Province of Manitoba may designate this by-law as subject to relevant provisions of The Provincial Offences Act, CCSM c P160, and associated regulations as enacted or amended.
10.3 The First Nation authorizes First Nation Safety Officers to enforce this by-law, pursuant to The Police Services Act, The Provincial Offences Act, and associated regulations as enacted or amended.
Part 11: General 11.1 This by-law may be amended in accordance with s. 85.1 (2) of the Indian Act and Council shall promptly publish and may post or distribute any amended by-law in accordance with section 2 of this by-law.
11.2 To the extent of any inconsistencies with any previously enacted by-law or other by-laws of the First Nation, this God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-law No. 2025-06-01 shall prevail.
11.3 Should a court determine that a provision of this by-Law is invalid for any reason, the provision may be read down or be severed from the By-Law and the validity of the rest of the By-Law shall not be affected.
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God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01; Part 12: Effective Date and Term 12-1 This God's Lake First Nation Intoxicant By-law No. 2025-06-01 comes into force on the day on which it is first published in the First Nations Gazette and shall remain in force unless this by-law is terminated though the repeal of or an amendment to this by-law.
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God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01; THIS BY-LAW IS HEREBY made at a duly convened meeting of the Council of the FirSt Nation this 25th day of June, 2025.
in favour of the by-law are the following members of the Council:
•C hief Gilbert Andrews
Councilor Mary Duck
Councilor Howard Okemow /Jl1b :pm Councilor Myles Spence
I~ Councilor Maxwell Bee
Councilor Stanley Duck ~ 0€ff Councilor Wayne Okemow
being the majority of those members of the Council of the God's Lake First Nation present at the aforesaid meeting of the Council.
The quorum of the Council is .:f_ members.
Number of members of the Council present at the meeting: !:i__
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God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01 ;
SCHEDULE OF FINES This Schedule authorizes and sets out the fine payable for offences issued on a ticket under the God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01.
Section Description Fine Amount 5.1 Consumption of Intoxicants $50 5.2 Possession of Intoxicants $100 5.3 Purchase of Intoxicants $100 5.4 Supply of Intoxicants $1 ,000
#/
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God's Lake First Nation Intoxicants By-Law No. 2025-06-01 ;
I, Chief Gilbert Andrews of the God's Lake First Nation, do hereby certify that a copy ~f the foregoing by-law was published on the First Nations Gazette, pursuant to subsection
86(1) of the Indian Act, on the 25th day of June, 2025.
(Witness)
(Print name)
(Chief/Councillor) Gl/J&f~
(Print name)
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Declaration under Section 85.1 of the Indian Act
IN THE MATTER OF section 85.1 of the Indian Act, RSC 1985, c 1-5; AND IN THE MATTER OF God's Lake First Nation Intoxicant By-Law No. 2025-06-01 I, Gilbert Andrews, Chief of God's Lake First Nation, in the community of God's Lake Narrows in the PROVINCE OF MANITOBA,
Do solemnly and voluntarily declare that pursuant to section 85.1 (2) of the Indian Act,: 1. On the 25th day of June, 2025, a special meeting of the electors of God's Lake First Nation was held at the old Sc..~ool G7"':i 4,oJ sL ..kt.- ;
2. The above-mentioned meeting commenced at 1p m and was held for the purpose of voting on the form and contents of the God's Lake First Nation Intoxicant By Law No. 2025-06-01;
3. The number of electors in attendance at this special meeting was lfS;
4. The number of votes in favour of the God's Lake First Nation Intoxicant By-Law No. 2025-06-01 was~;
5. The number of votes opposed to the God's Lake First Nation Intoxicant By-Law No. 2025-06-01 was 1 ;
6. The number of electors who abstained from voting was _JL_. I, Chief Gilbert Andrews make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing it to be true, and knowing that it is of the same force and effect as if made under oath.
Declared before me:
at the community of God's Lake Narrows in the Province of Manitoba, this t.S day
of 3...,$~ .e
Commissioner of Oaths V,c -ibritA GI" v +.-~ Commission Expires::!~21 2.oZ.5