O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation is urging immediate support from all levels of government following the death of one of its community members, which is being investigated as a homicide.
Arla Tait-Linklater told a news conference on Monday that her sister, Noreen Tait, was violently assaulted in the community, also known as South Indian Lake, on February 19th.
She succumbed to her injuries a few days later.
OPCN Chief Shirley Ducharme expressed her frustration during the conference, saying the First Nation is in crisis and is contending with an increase in violence, med-evacs, and mental health issues and addictions issues.
Ducharme adds the impact of the Churchill river diversion license is attributing to the current state of the community.
Tait-Linklater and Ducharme called on the government to provide more resources, including more nursing staff at the nursing station and a wellness centre to address mental health and addictions issues.