Nickel Belt News Volume 61 • Issue 29
Friday, July 23, 2021
Thompson, Manitoba
Serving the Norman Region since 1961
Deaths and self-harm incidents prompt Tataskweyak Cree Nation to declare state of emergency
Tataskweyak Cree Nation (TCN) said July 14 it is declaring a state of emergency for the community of Split Lake due to recent suicides and incidents of self-harm. “We are calling for immediate mental wellness supports and long-term solutions for our community members," said a press release sent out by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), which represents TCN and many other Northern Manitoba First Nations. “We have reached a breaking point and our community is under crisis with alcohol and drugs contributing to it.” MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee said in a subsequent press release that four
youth have died by suicide in the community in the past two months and that five others died by suicide in the 12 months before that. “This is an unimaginable loss for this community and our entire province,” he said. “The pain of losing your child is like no other. My heart goes out to those families who are trying to cope with their losses.” Churchill-Keewatinook Aski NDP MP Niki Ashton said July 15 that she was contacted by family members of young people who died by suicide and immediately reached out to leaders and community members and also called the minister of Indigenous services to ask him and his depart-
ment to take immediate and comprehensive action in response to TCN declaring a state of emergency. “This crisis didn’t just happen,” Ashton said in an emailed statement. “Community members have been clear – the COVID-19 crisis took a toll on young peoples’ mental health. The few resources that existed were overstretched and inadequate. The tragic situation in TCN highlights how Canada is failing to provide supports, yes. But even more, failing to give young people in northern and Indigenous communities hope. The federal government must act now to support TCN in this time of crisis.” MKO’s mobile crisis team
is in Split Lake, and TCN has also reached out to the mobile crisis team from Keewatin Tribal Council and is requesting additional support, including 24/7 in-community mental health counselling, from Health Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, the RCMP and the province of Manitoba. Settee said a crisis drop-in centre and resources to help protect young and vulnerable people from alcohol and other drugs are needed. A TCN band councillor, who spoke anonymously to a local journalism initiative reporter at the Winnipeg Sun July 15 because he fears reprisals from people in and out of the community who sell drugs, said it is the
amount of substances coming into the community that is causing the crisis. “That is the biggest problem we are dealing with, it’s the amount of alcohol and drugs being brought into the community, and pushed onto young people,” the councillor said. “And the more it comes in, the more it pushes people over to the dark side. The young people are being exposed to drugs and alcohol, and it really feels like the community is at war with the bootleggers and the drug dealers. There is a high increase of people using, and there is an increase in young people using, and what it is doing is creating this crisis in our community.” Settee also said children
are sacred and the heart of their communities. “I want to send a message to the youth, and all community members, that you matter,” he said. “You are important and you are loved. If you are considering harming yourself, please reach out to others for help. Suicide and harming yourself is not a solution to the problems you are facing.” Kids Help Phone is available 24 hours a day for youth who need someone to talk to at 1-800-668-6868. Youth can also communicate with someone by texting “CONNECT” to 686868. - with files from Dave Baxter, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Winnipeg Sun
Search of vehicle and homes in Cross Lake and Winnipeg turns up over $2 million, 20 grams of cocaine Manitoba RCMP say they seized more than $2 million from a vehicle pulled over on Highway 6 near Winnipeg and residences in Winnipeg and Cross Lake as well as cocaine and jewellery. Headingley RCMP’s roving traffic unit pulled over a vehicle around 1:45 a.m. June 29 as part of an ongoing investigation. A search of the vehicle turned up a significant amount of cash and a 39-year-old female in the vehicle was arrested. Investigation by Cross Lake RCMP led to search warrants being executed at a residence in that community and another one in Winnipeg. In addition to the money, 20 grams of cocaine and a significant amount of expensive jewellery were also seized, along with some drug-trafficking paraphernalia.
The 39-year-old woman, from Pimicikamak First Nation (Cross Lake), faces two counts of possessing the proceeds of crime over $5,000, possession of cocaine, and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. She has been released for a future court date and the investigation continues. “This is a significant arrest and seizure,” said Chief Supt. Rob Hill, Manitoba RCMP officer in charge of criminal operations. “To get more than $2 million that would be used in the illegal drug trade off the street is an important seizure for the community of Pimicikamak, and for the province as a whole. The investigation conducted by our officers was extremely well done and has netted some really positive results. Illegal drugs affect communities in so many negative ways, and
Woman arrested after Cross Lake death being investigated as a homicide Cross Lake RCMP arrested a woman in connection with a July 17 death being investigated as a homicide. Police responded to a report of a man needing medical attention around 11:45 a.m. Saturday and located a 30-yearold man who was transported to the nursing station, where he died of his injuries. A 30-year-old woman from Cross Lake was arrested that day and remains in custody. RCMP Major Crime Services is assisting Cross Lake RCMP with the ongoing investigation.
the RCMP is dedicated to finding those involved and getting those drugs off the street.” More than $2 million and 20 grams of cocaine was seized by police in an investigation that included searches of a vehicle on Highway 6 and of residences in Winnipeg and Cross Lake. RCMP photo
Shamattawa RCMP searching for missing fisher last seen July 17 RCMP officers and Shamattawa residents are searching Gods River for a missing fisher. Leon Redhead, 51, was last seen around 4 p.m. July 17 when he left the community to go check his fishing nets in the river. He was reported missing around 10:30 a.m. July 18. Anyone with information can call Shamattawa RCMP at 204-565-2350. Leon Redhead, 51, hasn’t been seen since leaving Shamattawa to check his fishing nets on Gods River. A search by police and community members is underway. RCMP photo