Human Trafficking Awareness with Anishinabek Police Service

Indigenous girls, women and Two‑Spirit people are disproportionately targeted by human traffickers. Detective Sergeant Matti Primeau and Crime Analyst Jessica Restoule of the Anishinabek Police Service explain what human trafficking is, and how traffickers use in-person and online tactics to prey on a person’s vulnerabilities. We discuss the importance of sharing protective tools with young people and providing supports for survivors. We also hear how a First Nations police service can be effective in addressing Indigenous human trafficking because it combines deep community knowledge, cultural understanding, and trusted relationships with strong intelligence‑gathering and multi‑jurisdictional collaboration.

* Some of the content of this episode may be upsetting to some listeners.
Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010. You can reach out 24/7 — whether you’re being trafficked, you know someone who is, or you’re a trafficking survivor.
Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310. Hope for Wellness Helpline is available 24/7 to all Indigenous people across Canada, whether you prefer to talk to someone on the phone or online. 

This podcast is produced by the Communications Department at the Anishinabek Nation. 

Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/5rp9frxe78uau9bb/APS_Human_Trafficking_Transcript_2026-02-20.pdf

Music: Minou-Pimatisiwin by Nigel Irwin and Chippewa Travellers, and Falling Forward by Justin Delorme, provided by Nagamo Publishing. 

Links and Resources: 

Anishinabek Police Service – Human Trafficking 
https://www.anishinabekpolice.ca/staying-safe/human-trafficking

Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline 
https://canadianhumantraffickinghotline.ca/
1-833-900-1010 Hotline available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking
https://ccteht.ca/

Victim Services 
https://victimservicesontario.ca/

Ontario’s Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy 2025-2030 
Ontario’s anti-human trafficking strategy 2025–2030 | ontario.ca

Kids Help Phone – Human trafficking: how to recognize the signs
https://kidshelpphone.ca/get-info/human-trafficking-how-recognize-signs/