Four days after the stabbing attacks on the James Smith Cree Nation, the community was host to a gathering of Chiefs, provincial and federal leaders and grieving family members. Chief Wally Burns of the Cree Nation was the first to speak, and he thanked everyone for their support and condolences. He noted that the Premier was there along with federal ministers and the RCMP, and that the Queen had sent a letter just days before her passing. Burns says no words can describe what they have been going through, and the families and membership are going to need help to heal. He and other Chiefs call for addictions treatment centres to make sure this doesn’t happen again, and for mental health supports for families and others who have been affected by these violent attacks.
Chief Robert Head of the Peter Chapman Band says incidents like this can be avoided. “We need First Nations justice systems. We need support for mental health. We need addictions centres. These are things that we can address. We are going to fix this for our people, for all our future generations.”
When asked about funding for mental health and addictions, Premier Scott Moe noted that currently, long term funding is about a half-a-billion dollars a year, with increases over the last number of years, and he expects more in the future. He adds that there are also opportunities to collaborate with First Nation communities, and he had some with a few of the Chiefs today (Thurs) about bringing the federal government into these conversations, and supporting initiatives being put forward by First Nations leadership. The Premier says that would include federal and provincial funding, ensuring all services are coordinated across the province so they are available for everyone.
The leadership of James Smith Cree Nation, Prince Albert Grand Council and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations , PAGC and FSIN would like to express its appreciation to the people and organizations for their help and support. They include the numerous first responders, Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management, the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Indigenous Services Canada, Health Canada’s First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, Canadian Red Cross, and leaders of the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan as well as the Official Opposition of Saskatchewan.
