Indigenous leaders need immediate resources from the federal and provincial governments to address community safety crises in central and northern Saskatchewan. A news release from Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Metis Nation-Saskatchewan and Prince Albert Grand Council says they are deeply concerned that their members are living in a constant state of fear due to high levels of violence, gang activity and drug trafficking.

MLTC leaders are frustrated that their ability to respond to these crises has not improved since the community of La Loche was devastated by a mass shooting in 2016. Chief Norma Catarat of Buffalo River Dene Nation, which is part of the PAGC, says she enacted a state of emergency in June and then again last month because people don’t feel safe. She has been requesting help from both governments, but hasn’t gotten anywhere. Catarat says she is sent back and forth from both the federal and provincial governments. “It’s a hot potato game that has been going on for years.” PAGC Grand Chief Joseph Hardlotte says, “If we ever hope to overcome these issues plaguing our communities, we all need to unite and find the solutions together.”

Vice Chief Richard Derocher of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council says, “We are in a dire situation, Our resources to address mental health issues, addictions, suicides, and inter-generational trauma in our communities have been completely depleted, and we can no longer effectively respond to this crisis on our own. Our communities are not receiving sufficient support from the RCMP and our communities are becoming lawless societies at the mercy of unchecked criminal organizations. It’s a difficult situation because band council resolutions are not being enforced by RCMP and there is currently no effective way for our laws to be prosecuted in the courts.”

The leaders say the RCMP and health workers are doing what they can, but there just aren’t enough people to cover the need.