Three Sask. First Nations declare health crisis
At age 63, Ted Quewezance estimates he’s been to more than 400 funerals.
The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) senator and former chief of the Keeseekoose First Nation said violence, addictions and health issues have long plagued the community and contributed to a high death rate. Now, a three-year spike in deaths has prompted his community, along with the surrounding Cote and Key First Nations to declare a health crisis.
“An average Canadian citizen goes to seven to 10 funerals a year and my chiefs have been to over 50 and 60 funerals in the last year and a half,” Quewezance said at a press conference at the FSIN office Monday, March 14. “Could you imagine going to a funeral every week? Not one, but three or four.”
Cote First Nation had four deaths on Feb. 27 and chief Norman Whitehawk said the community is in a “constant state of grieving.”