O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation declares state of emergency

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This article was published 17/08/2024 (463 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation has declared a state of emergency after a number of stabbing incidents in the community near South Indian Lake Friday night.

As a result, O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation Chief Shirley Ducharme and her council enacted a community-wide lockdown at 1 a.m. Saturday.

The condition of the victims has not been released.

“The violence has gotten out of hand, including the drugs and alcohol abuse that ultimately leads to the violence we are experiencing,” said Ducharme in a release. “We must call a state of emergency for the good of the community and for the safety of our residents.”

A band council resolution will enforce a curfew between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. for those under-18 and from midnight to 6 a.m. for adults on a daily basis for the next few weeks. A community check-stop is also being planned to search for drugs, alcohol and weapons while the curfew is in effect.

The chief and council added they are reaching out to the RCMP D Division, Indigenous Services Canada and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak to aid in the restoration of the health and safety of community members and to enlist support of crisis intervention teams and mental health supports.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Acting Grand Chief Angela Levasseur supported Ducharme’s declaration.

“Acts of violence as a result of the escalation of drugs and alcohol in our First Nations has been rampant in all northern First Nations,” said Levasseur.

“MKO stands with Chief Ducharme and her Nation during this time. MKO believes in the whole of government response plan to address the threat of violence in our First Nations, and we will strive to work with governments to ensure that adequate plans are co-developed with leadership to ensure that our First Nations are safe and secure for our families and communities.”