Our people are dying’: Manitoba First Nation declares state of emergency – CBC
Mar 07, 2023
3 people have died in O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation in the past 2 weeks
A remote northern Manitoba First Nation has declared a state of emergency following the deaths of three people in the community over the past two weeks.
“We’ve seen the hurt and pain suffered by our First Nation and we can’t wait any longer. We are dealing with emergencies and tragedy on a daily basis here it seems,” said Chief Shirley Ducharme of O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, a community of just over 1,000 people at South Indian Lake, about 130 kilometres northwest of Thompson.
“Our people are dying and as leadership, we have to do something.”
She is calling for the federal and provincial governments to provide immediate help in the form of crisis supports for people battling trauma, addiction and mental health issues.
