Trio of Sask. First Nations sign MOU to tackle drug crisis in Indigenous communities

A new memorandum of understanding has been signed by three First Nations to tackle the drug crisis and improve community safety. Sierra D’Souza Butts reports.

Three First Nations in Saskatchewan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to tackle the drug crisis in their home communities.

On Tuesday, chiefs of Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation, Pasqua First Nation, and Piapot First Nation all signed a MOU agreement to help improve the safety and well-being of Indigenous people and youth.

The initiative was spearheaded by Chief Melissa Tavita of Muscowpetung who said working collaboratively with neighbouring communities would help extend the outreach.

“The thoughts behind leading it is because we’ve had a lot of addictions in our community and dealers that are housing within our communities. If we were to try and clean up Muscowpetung they would just come from the other neighbouring reserves,” she explained.

“We wanted to come together and work together, to brainstorm, to figure out a way how we can combat the addictions in our community, how we can combat the drugs and the dealers in our community.”

As part of the agreement, a committee will be established of members from each First Nation. From there, the group will meet on a regular basis to discuss strategies and report back to all three First Nation councils.

“One of the areas is making bylaws vocally someday. That our bylaws will service every nation so that’s in the works,” said Chief Mark Fox of Piapot First Nation.

“Also we’re looking at a police force on the three nations. Piapot, Muscowpetung, and Pasqua. Another one would be a treatment center to help our nations. There’s a lot of problems with the fentanyl crisis and the crystal meth crisis within our nations and we’re close to the City of Regina so we’d like to address that and make a better life for our youth.”

Chief Fabian Ironeagle added the safety of Indigenous people for generations to come is also a priority for Pasqua First Nation.

“We always think long term safety for our youth,” Ironeagle said. “Being more proactive with our youth, with drugs, alcohol, violence, all of those taboo subjects that.”