Incidents of gang violence against Elders at Buffalo River Dene Nation and the rise of crystal meth use in the community have led local leaders to re-issuing its state of emergency, originally issued in June. Chief Norma Catarat says people are feeling powerless with drugs and gangs and crystal meth.
In one instance over the weekend an Elder was in bed with her hearing aids out, when a 20 year old woman with gang connections, who was on meth, broke into the home and dragged her by the hair and assaulted her, leaving the Elder with two broken ribs and a bruised collar bone. Catarat says the Elder is now afraid to come home. The 20 year old had recently been released from the Pine Grove Correctional Centre.
Catarat adds that gangs have been linked to burning homes and vehicles in their community. In the short term, the First Nation is calling for at least 20 additional security guards, along with self-defence courses, until more permanent measures, like additional resources, can be addressed.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice Chief Heather Bear explains that First Nations people come home after getting out of jail, but they have no resources nearby to help them. There is no addictions or mental health support, even though it has been requested many times. “And the simple fact we don’t have the response time others have in this country. Look what happened in James Smith – 40 minutes response time, ambulance way later.”
Chief Catarat also points out that for those who are trying to get help and want to get clean, they have to wait. She explains that if you want to go into a detox centre, you have to apply and be on a waiting list, and you have to be clean for a certain number of days, but for those who are addicted, if they want to go in, they need to go in immediately. She believes the intervention should take place when they are ready to go, not three months later.
The FSIN is advocating for a Canada-wide First Nations Policing Association, which could enforce criminal and municipal violations, and Band Council resolutions, similar to what the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council has.
