Calls for government support intensify as 3rd Vancouver Island Indigenous group declares state of emergency

The Homalco First Nation is holding its fourth funeral in six months this week for a young community member who died from a drug overdose.

The First Nation is the third Indigenous group on Vancouver Island to declare a state of emergency due to the toxic drug crisis. The north-island community is joining calls for federal and provincial government leaders to take urgent action and provide resources to help them deal with it.

"This crisis is a direct result of the aftermath of residential schools and the lasting generational trauma that continues to devastate Indigenous communities," the First Nation said in a statement.

"The toxic drug epidemic is not just a Homalco issue — it is a direct consequence of colonial policies that fractured families, suppressed culture, and left lasting scars on Indigenous people."

In March 2024, the Gwa'Sala-Nakwaxda'xw Nations, two north Island Nations with a population of 1,100, declared a state of emergency following the deaths of 11 members. The Nation said that many died due to drug poisoning and alcohol. 

The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, which represents 14 West Coast nations with about 10,000 members on the island, declared a state of emergency in September due to the mental health and opioid crisis. One of their member communities, the Ahousaht First Nation, had declared a state of emergency two weeks prior to that, following the deaths of two young people within hours of each other in separate incidents.

First Nations leader says 'we're in a crisis'

Terry Teegee, regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations, says that 10 years into the toxic drug crisis, not enough co-ordinated, culturally appropriate support or resources have gone to Indigenous communities. Indigenous people, particularly women, make up a disproportionate number of the lives lost to toxic drugs.

"I think we're in a crisis state with many First Nations across this province," said Teegee, who blames the generational trauma from residential schools for the depth of the current crisis.

"One of the things that we're seeing sadly is almost a whole generation die as a result of the opioid crisis."

Homalco Chief Darren Blaney spoke in a video posted to social media announcing the nation's state of emergency. He expressed sadness at the recent deaths of its four young members and said that Homalco leaders would be holding a community dinner on March 14 to discuss plans for addressing the crisis.

"It's going to take more than chief and council to help the community to keep the drug dealers out, but also to support people when they're trying to sober up," he said in the video. "We need to have our young people be able to realize all of their potential."

The leadership of the Homalco Nation and the First Nations Health Authority were not immediately available for an interview when contacted by CBC News.

Blaney called on the province to engage with the Homalco and other nations who have declared a state of emergency to come up with immediate long-term solutions through a government-to-government process. 

Health Minister Josie Osborne said in a statement that the province is committed to working alongside the nation, although she did not provide details on any support B.C. may be providing.

"The suffering and loss that Homalco First Nation is facing is devastating," says the statement. "Our hearts are with their families and the community."

Blaney says he hopes to receive more funding to build a trauma centre to help prevent future deaths.

"We've lost too many people to drugs and alcohol; we can not carry on on that path," he said. "We will all heal from this process."