A suspect has been arrested in connection to the death of a woman from a northern Manitoba First Nation.

 

Manitoba RCMP say officers in O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation have arrested 50-year-old Philip Soulier as a suspect in the homicide of 47-year-old Noreen Tait.

 

Soulier has been charged with manslaughter and remains in custody.

 

Tait died last month in Winnipeg after being transported there due to having life-threatening injuries caused by assault.

 

Chief Shirley Ducharme says Tait’s death is one of many “critical incidents” that have occurred on the First Nation.

 

OPCN declared a state of emergency this week, saying the community doesn’t have the adequate resources to address the mental health and addictions issues they’re contending with.

 

Both Ducharme and Tait’s family are urging all levels of government to provide resources such as nursing staff and a wellness centre to help address these issues.