MLTC Vice Chief Richard Derocher addresses the media during a special press conference Friday in Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

A call for help

‘We are in a pandemic in our communities’: First Nations leaders call for aid

Nov 4, 2022 | 5:56 PM

First Nations leaders in Northern Saskatchewan are sounding the alarm, and asking the federal and provincial levels of government for immediate assistance to address concerns related to drugs, gangs and violence.

Richard Derocher, Vice Chief of Meadow Lake Tribal Council, was among a number of leaders in attendance during a press conference in Prince Albert on Friday.

“We have elders who are sleeping with guns or bats or something close to their beds for safety reasons,” he said.

Derocher also relayed recent meetings he had with nursing staff, who asked for 24-hour security in the health centres, as well as cameras and a six-foot fence.

“We are not here to blame. We are here to raise awareness,” he explained, inviting provincial and federal leaders to come to northern communities and have a meeting to discuss the issues at hand.

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Norma Catarat, Chief of Buffalo River Dene Nation, explained how she was forced to issue a statement of emergency in June and issued a second one more recently.

“We are in a pandemic in our communities,” she said, adding attempts by her in the past to reach out for help and resources had gone nowhere.

With respect to solutions, the Chiefs explained they want to be a part of the policy decision-making. Short-term answers discussed related to policing and security. Longer-term answers include detox and youth wellness centres to help address the escalating addiction issues.

MN-S President Glen McCallum encouraged governments to understand the deeper issues at hand. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Montreal Lake Cree Nation Joyce McLeod explained people are hurting, and turning to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope. And leadership is struggling to find ways to help.

“The headdresses are heavy,” she said.

McLeod went on to explain banning people is not the answer, as they just go to the city and become a problem there and so the answers need to come from the communities.

Speaking by phone, James Smith Cree Nation Chief Wally Burns said his own community is still feeling the effects of the mass stabbings in early September.

“Our community is still in shock and very uneasy about who walks through that door,” he said.

A Tactical Armoured RCMP Vehicle drives past a police roadblock set up on the James Smith Cree Nation on Sept. 6, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu)

Burns added a lot of the problems stem from the trauma incurred at residential schools, and the failure of pre-existing federal programs.

During the press conference, it was revealed Prince Albert Grand Council is in the process of developing an all-encompassing strategy and has already consulted with a number of universities as well as larger centres such as Edmonton and Halifax.

“We are already advancing the work in holistic community safety planning that will serve as a model for others, but we acknowledge that we also need to focus on healing and preventative measures that will address the root causes of our challenges,” Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte explained.

PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Recently the province announced funding for warrant enforcement officers and the creation of a marshall service which will help address repeat offenders. When asked for comment, several leaders said they first need to see a framework and plan before they can make a decision on whether they support it.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell