The Peguis Treaty Land Entitlement Community Fund Trust is asking its members for help in reviewing its drug policy, launching an online survey to gather community feedback. The trust, which oversees funds from the 2008 Treaty Land Entitlement Agreement, posted the survey on May 21, 2026, as it considers possible changes to its approach on drug-related issues.
Trustees Ralph Sutherland and Lloyd Sinclair are leading the review process. The trust has faced operational hurdles due to board vacancies, with only two of the required three trustees currently in place. Sutherland, a former RCMP officer with 27 years of experience, and Sinclair, who also chairs the Community Fund Trust, are now turning to members for guidance.
This is not the first time the community has tackled drug concerns. In 2008, the federal government rejected an anti-drug bylaw proposed by then-Chief Glenn Hudson, ruling that only Ottawa can regulate drug use. More than a decade later, in 2019, Peguis First Nation threatened eviction and possible banishment for anyone caught using or dealing drugs in the community. The current survey suggests the trust is exploring a different path, possibly through policy changes within its own programs and funding.
The drug policy review comes at a time of change for Peguis First Nation. Chief Dr. Stan Bird, a clinical psychologist, took office in 2023 after defeating Hudson. Hudson is now involved in litigation with the band over alleged financial misconduct. The trust operates separately from the band council, but its decisions can still shape community projects and services.
The survey is available through the trust’s website at Community Fund Trust Drug Survey. Members can also visit the Updates & Opportunities page for more information. The trust has set an Annual General Meeting for June 12, 2026, where policy discussions may continue alongside a call for new trustee applications.
