A State of Local Emergency was declared today (April 12) by the Tsilhqot’in National Government.
The order was issued for all six Tsilhqot’in communities in response to recent deaths in communities last week.
“Drugs are a major problem in our communities.” TNG Chief Joe Alphonse stated in a release, “As leaders we feel that our hands are tied. We need to act to not lose anymore lives. The RCMP know who the dealers are and need to deal with this. A State of Emergency is an opportunity to address this crisis.”
The TNG said the toxic drug supply combined with the harms of historical and present day colonialism are contributing to to high rates of death from toxic drugs amongst Indigenous peoples compared to other populations in the province.
“Our people are grieving over the recent losses in our communities.” Otis Guichon, Vice Chair of the TNG stated, “We need time and tradition to heal while we search for Tsilhqot’in led solutions. We call on the local health authorities to work with our communities and expand facilities to support our members who want treatment. Our thoughts and prayers are with those families grieving right now.”
The Tsilhqot’in National Government calls on ministries and agencies to work together to end this loss of lives.