More than a fifth of God's Lake First Nation residents struggling with addiction: chief

A northern Manitoba community's chief, backed by First Nations leaders in the province, repeated the call for urgent assistance amid concerns of an addiction crisis, and say their requests for help are being declined.

An estimated 20-30 per cent of God's Lake First Nation residents are impacted by drug and alcohol addiction, Chief Hubert Watt said.

"The people that we talk to are addicted to or using meth. Their lives are lost. They don't know where to go," he said. "You try to provide that direction but it's so hard for them to get that help."

Watt was joined by Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee, Assembly of First Nations Chief Cindy Woodhouse, Keewatin Tribal Council Grand Chief Walter Wastesicoot and other members of God's Lake First Nation Monday in Winnipeg. The group was making a public call to both provincial and federal governments for immediate assistance.

God's Lake simply doesn't have the resources needed to deal with the drug and mental health crisis that is running rampant through the community of about 1,500 residents, says Watt.

Merrick said the AMC reached out to Indigenous Services Canada four days ago, requesting emergency access to highly-trained professionals and supports to assist God's Lake.

Merrick said both requests for resources and a meeting to discuss the issues were denied, as were requests to the Canadian Red Cross.

The only recommendation from an official was to send God's Lake a team of Assembly of First Nations ambassadors, but they don't have the ability to provide the services that are required, says Merrick.

"God's Lake First Nation has bravely come forward to share their experience that many of our First Nations are also struggling with," she said.

"It is evident to First Nations leadership that the failure of government is manifesting systematic racism to react to the needs and the rights of First Nations."

Watt is asking the opportunity for the First Nation to implement their own programming, including land-based healing for people struggling with addiction.

He says God's Lake, which only has two nurses at its nursing station, needs an emergency detox centre with 100-150 beds, long-term treatment, several mental health therapists, nurses, doctors and a safe house for children since some of their parents are using methamphetamine.

"Sometimes people don't sleep for three to dour days, or eat for two to three days." he said. "Their physical appearance is very shocking. We need help now." 

Watt also believes a security presence that patrols the community to help with the ongoing threat of suicide is needed. He says members of his community are attempting suicide.

Watt said the last time his First Nation and the province spoke directly was more than a month ago.

The provincial government did not reply to a request for comment.

Megan MacLean, a spokesperson for Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs said in a statement Tuesday morning that the department is "deeply troubled" by the addiction issues in God's Lake.

"Indigenous Services Canada has been meeting regularly with leadership and partners to discuss both short-term and long-term supports needed for treatment and healing in community," she wrote.

The Manitoba Keewatinow Okimakanak crisis response team is on its way to the community, and traditional healers will be in God's Lake to provide assistance this week, MacLean said.

Four rotating mental-health therapists are in God's Lake, she wrote.

Merrick said the humanitarian crisis is the result of intergenerational trauma and a failure to prevent the hardships that God's Lake is experiencing. 

She said the community is in desperate need of immediate intervention.

"All our people feel the pain and the hurt in our communities when it comes to our young people that are doing drugs and alcohol," Merrick said.

"So the government, you're on call today from all the chiefs from Manitoba to be able to provide those services for our people."