Manto Sipi Cree Nation visitors bags, cargo could be searched [Video]

A dry, fly-in First Nation in northern Manitoba is putting drug and alcohol smugglers on notice.

Manto Sipi Cree Nation has entered into an agreement that allows trained safety officers to search passengers’ luggage and cargo arriving on reserve for contraband.

Signs advising of the community’s rules were unveiled and installed Monday at Perimeter Aviation’s terminal at the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.

The push to update the bylaw followed the death of a young mother last year.

“We did not want to lose another young life because this young woman left a one-year-old daughter, and this was our primary motivation to get this done,” Manto Sipi Cree Nation Chief Michael Yellowback said at a news conference Monday.

Officials install signage at Perimeter Aviation’s Winnipeg terminal on Sept. 23, 2024. (Jamie Dowsett/CTV News Winnipeg)

Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said the pilot project was made possible by provincial legislation allowing First …