Touchwood First Nations address overdose deaths at public meeting

Close to 200 people showed up at the Muskowekwan Bingo Hall on Monday to address the weekly drug-related deaths casting a shadow on their communities.

Close to 200 people showed up at the Muskowekwan Bingo Hall on Monday to address the weekly drug-related deaths casting a shadow on their communities.

“I know communities have been making efforts on their own, but we feel a combined effort [is needed], in regards to the drug trafficking and supplying drugs in our communities,” expressed Leon McNab, justice program director of Touchwood Agency Tribal Council.

"We hear that it's not only happening in Touchwood, but across the province and across Canada."

The public meeting was called on behalf of Muskowekwan First Nation, asking all Touchwood Agency Tribal Council members to attend in hopes of finding solutions on saving both youth and adults from drug use and fatal overdoses.

The three other nations included were Kawacatoose, Day Star, and George Gordon First Nation.

"The four member nations of Touchwood, they're in crisis mode right now dealing with opioids and crystal meth, and it’s across our entire region,” said David Pratt, vice-chief Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN).

“We're hear to listen to the leadership, the frontline workers, and to the membership, to take direction as we're moving forward on dealing with this."