4 Manitoba First Nations declare public health emergency amid regional crisis

A coalition of four First Nations in northwestern Manitoba has declared a public health emergency, citing a "regional crisis" fueled by toxic drugs, widespread disease, and homelessness. The Anisininew Grand Council, representing over 17,000 people from Red Sucker Lake, Wasagamack, Garden Hill, and St. Theresa Point, is appealing to the Manitoba and federal governments for urgent support.

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(This is) a regional crisis and it sits at the intersection of a toxic drug supply, problematic substance use, HIV, hepatitis C, homelessness and the breakdown of community safety that follows when people are denied access to care.

Grand Chief Alex McDougall described the situation as a critical intersection of substance use, HIV and hepatitis C outbreaks, homelessness, and a breakdown in community safety. "A child in Red Sucker Lake should not know what (a) needle looks like before they know how to read," stated Red Sucker Lake Anisininew Nation Chief Samuel Knott, illustrating the profound impact on the younger generation.

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A child in Red Sucker Lake should not know what (a) needle looks like before they know how to read.

The declaration follows a provincial public health emergency for HIV declared in May by Manitoba's Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Brent Roussin. McDougall emphasized that this is not solely a provincial issue but a signal of systemic failure in serving First Nations people. "The era of crisis response must end. And an era of prevention, partnership and Anisininew-led care begins," he declared.

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A provincial emergency is not Manitoba’s problem alone. It is a signal that the system has failed First Nations people. The era of crisis response must end. And an era of prevention, partnership and Anisininew-led care begins.

The Anisininew Okimawin Grand Council is advocating for a renewed partnership based on treaty implementation, urging governments to "honour Treaty 5 and its adhesions, to fund prevention rather than emergency responses." They argue that investing in prevention is more cost-effective and saves lives compared to perpetual crisis management. Manitoba's Minister of Housing, Addictions and Homelessness, Bernadette Smith, acknowledged the concerns and noted the province's support for Indigenous-led organizations, including the opening of 1,200 treatment spaces and harm reduction initiatives.

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Our message today is not an attack on any government. It is an invitation. We are inviting Canada and Manitoba to become partners, to honour Treaty 5 and its adhesions, to fund prevention rather than emergency responses. We are not asking governments to spend more on crisis. We are asking governments to invest in prevention that costs less and saves lives.