NAN to Highlight Need for Addiction Treatment during Documentary Film Panel Discussion

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum will discuss the growing need for First Nation access to addiction treatment and aftercare as part of a panel discussion following tonight’s screen of a documentary film at Lakehead University.

“Mobile treatment clinics, as depicted in this ground-breaking documentary, have proven to be very successful and are an excellent example of an innovative community-based model being used to address such a devastating and widespread health issue as opiate addiction,” said Deputy Grand Chief Anna Betty Achneepineskum. “We are proud to acknowledge the dedication and tireless work of Mae Katt and her team for the tremendous efforts to help our members on the road to recovery, and we will continue to advocate to our Treaty partners, the governments of Ontario and Canada, for long-term stable funding for addiction treatment and aftercare.”

The film screening and panel discussion for In This Heaven, a documentary produced and directed by Candida Paltiel, will be hosted by Matawa First Nations and Lakehead University’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Aboriginal Initiatives from 7-9:30 p.m. at the University Centre (Agora), room UC2011.

In This Heaven documents the efforts of Mae Katt, a First Nation nurse practitioner, as she runs a mobile drug addiction treatment program in the remote and underserved First Nation communities.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion on the history and root causes of addiction in these communities and the urgency for community-based treatment and aftercare. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Vice-Provost, Aboriginal Initiatives, Lakehead University.

For more information please contact: Roxann Shapwaykeesic, Communications Officer – Nishnawbe Aski Nation (807) 625-4906 or cell (807) 251-6876 or by email rshapwaykeesic@nan.on.ca

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