OTTAWA -- First Nations leaders and a northern Ontario MP are calling on the federal government and the province to negotiate a new policing agreement with Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service.
The force services 35 First Nations communities in northern Ontario and currently faces a strike deadline.
In 2007, seven First Nations brought forward a human rights complaint against the federal government over the issue of equality in policing.
New Democrat Charlie Angus, who represents the huge Timmins-James Bay riding, says officers are "rolling the dice" when they go out in the field with a lack of resources, including backup.
A spokeswoman for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says the Liberal government is committed to negotiating progress on community safety and policing for indigenous communities.
A statement says at this stage of the engagement process, no decisions have been made on funding, expansion or other details of how the renewed approach to indigenous policing would be implemented.
