Island First Nations say little support available in face of mental health, opioid crises
The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council (NTC) has declared a state of emergency in all 14 of its member First Nations due to a mental health and opioid crisis.
“We’ve seen British Columbia declare a state of emergency eight years ago on this and what has changed?” said NTC president Cloy-e-iis (Judith Sayers).
“Maybe it’s time to change hands. We just want to lead it.”
There has been a string of losses, she said, including the deaths of two young people in Ahousaht First Nation, one of them suspicious.
“The recent losses of life have really triggered and brought to the surface a lot of that pain and a lot of the grief that many of our families have felt for all too long,” said Ahousaht Elected Chief Naasathluk (John Rampanen).
The NTC said there are few recovery resources for people in its territory, which spans much of central and western Vancouver Island. Members are asking the provincial and federal governments to fund various supports, including detox beds.
“We’re asking British Columbians to ask their candidates running in this next provincial election, ‘What are you going to do about it?’” said Tseshaht Elected Chief waamiiš (Ken Watts) during a news conference in Port Alberni Thursday.
Island Health said it has issued a request for proposals for up to 10 recovery beds in Port Alberni.
“That RFP followed extensive and collaborative work with local First Nations, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and the City of Port Alberni, and was in response to a local call for action on this important issue,” an Island Health spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
The health authority is also moving forward with plans to offer sobering and assessment services in the Tofino area.
“What we require right now is immediate supports and services to be able to kick into gear and to see that they’re sustainable,” Naasathluk said.
Work is underway to provide immediate support to Ahousaht, the province said.
“I have spoken to Chief Naasathluk at length on what is happening in his community and pledged to help his community in any way possible,” said Indigenous Relations Minister Murray Rankin in an emailed statement.
“The province is further working with Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council on establishing a response table with the appropriate partners to support Nuu-chah-nulth communities through this critical time.”
In the face of the lasting pain caused by Canada’s colonial harms, Naasathluk said there is hope.
“By embracing and sharing the love and the teachings and the strength with our children as they prosper and grow into healthy strong adults, they’ll carry that work forward naturally,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates A 'ticking time bomb': Inside Syria's toughest prison holding accused high-ranking ISIS members
In the last of a three-part investigation, W5's Avery Haines was given rare access to a Syrian prison, where thousands of accused high-ranking ISIS members are being held.
'Mayday!': New details emerge after Boeing plane makes emergency landing at Mirabel airport
New details suggest that there were communication issues between the pilots of a charter flight and the control tower at Montreal's Mirabel airport when a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing on Wednesday.
Federal government posts $13B deficit in first half of the fiscal year
The Finance Department says the federal deficit was $13 billion between April and September.
Weather warnings for snow, wind issued in several parts of Canada
Winter is less than a month away, but parts of Canada are already projected to see winter-like weather.
Canadian news publishers suing ChatGPT developer OpenAI
A coalition of Canadian news publishers is suing OpenAI for using news content to train its ChatGPT generative artificial intelligence system.
Cucumbers sold in Ontario, other provinces recalled over possible salmonella contamination
A U.S. company is recalling cucumbers sold in Ontario and other Canadian provinces due to possible salmonella contamination.
Nick Cannon says he's seeking help for narcissistic personality disorder
Nick Cannon has spoken out about his recent diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, saying 'I need help.'
BREAKING Supreme Court affirms constitutionality of B.C. law on opioid health costs recovery
Canada's top court has affirmed the constitutionality of a law that would allow British Columbia to pursue a class-action lawsuit against opioid providers on behalf of other provinces, the territories and the federal government.
Real GDP per capita declines for 6th consecutive quarter, household savings rise
Statistics Canada says the economy grew at an annualized pace of one per cent during the third quarter, in line with economists' expectations.