FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WIIKWEMKOONG – AUGUST 7, 2025 – The Wiikwemkoong Annual Cultural Festival wrapped up this past weekend with vibrant performances, dazzling regalia, and strong attendance from across the region. While the spotlight was on cultural celebration, the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) worked quietly in the background and alongside community members to ensure a safe and welcoming environment.
Officers were stationed on foot, bike, ATV, and marine patrols, conducting 23 R.I.D.E. checks over the weekend and providing visible support throughout festival activities. Beyond enforcement, their presence focused on engagement and creating space for dialogue, sharing safety resources, and building trust.
“Our role at the Festival is about presence with purpose – listening, learning, and showing up in a way that reflects who we serve,” said Chief of Police Ron Gignac. “Safety is a shared goal, and that starts with connection.”
WTPS officers greeted attendees at their community booth, answered questions, and encouraged the use of non-emergency reporting at wtps.ca or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
By participating in cultural events like this, WTPS reinforces a model of community-first policing rooted in mutual respect, collaboration, and cultural understanding. These informal moments help foster long-term relationships that contribute to both safety and healing in the community.
As WTPS continues to show up with humility and openness, it sets a powerful example of what community-first policing can look like – particularly in Indigenous communities where reconciliation and healing are ongoing efforts.
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Media Contact:
Inspector Tammy Duffy, WTPS
Email: tammy.duffy@wtps.ca
