A year after declaring state of emergency, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation continues push for healing lodge

Nearly a year after declaring a state of emergency, the chief of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation says the southwestern Manitoba community is still in need of long-term mental health solutions. 

On Oct. 10, 2020, Chief Jennifer Bone called on Indigenous Services Canada for funding to hire four more mental health workers and build a healing lodge in the community, after four community members died by suicide in the weeks prior.

At the time, Indigenous Services said $141,000 would be provided for the community for mental health support — but Bone says that was funding promised before the emergency was declared.

Since her call for help, Bone says there hasn't been any additional funding from the federal government, and she continues to communicate with Health Canada and Indigenous Services' regional office.

"We'll continue to advocate for funding for a healing lodge. I think that falls back on the federal government to provide those services to ensure that our people are healthy … mentally and emotionally, spiritually — on all levels," Bone told CBC News in an interview last week.

In an email statement, spokesperson Megan MacLean says ISC is working closely with the First Nation and Indigenous partners to access and increase mental health resources in the community. 

She says the non-insured Health Benefits Program continues to offer therapists and has increased the number of therapists available to the community. There's also a psychologist in the community to support students in school, she said.