Three First Nations sign MOU to address drug crisis

The agreement outlines joint efforts in prevention, intervention, information sharing, and capacity building, while respecting the sovereignty and governance of each nation. It also establishes a Tri-Nation Community Safety Council to guide implementation and ensure community voices, including Elders and youth, remain central to all initiatives.

In his home First Nation of Pasqua, Ironeagle said substances like crystal meth and fentanyl are common issues with some adults in their community, and marijuana with some youth. But, he said in many neighbouring communities, the drug crisis is much more severe.

“With the adults, it’s tough. Some are in their 50s or 60s. You can lead a horse to water. But, more often than not, they choose to continue living that lifestyle no matter what we try,” he said

“With youth, I think the awareness we create has had an impact. We create support them in sports, culture, education – anything positive that we can. We teach the consequences of doing drugs like crystal meth and fentanyl, and I believe that has had an impact on our youth.”

According to Stats Canada, Indigenous youth and adults are disproportionately impacted by the toxic drug crisis. In Saskatchewan, First Nations individuals represented roughly 51 percent of accidental opioid drug deaths.

According to another study from the Saskatoon Tribal Council on alcohol abuse found 23.5 percent of youth on reserve, grade 5-8 abused alcohol, and almost 15 percent used marijuana.

“To me, if we work collectively as three First Nations, sharing a message and having the same thought process, I think there’s a lot we can do for our youth.”

Ironeagle said that members from his First Nation have been banned from the community due to drug dealing and gang activity. Banning problematic individuals hasn’t been an effective strategy, he said.

“What happens is, after they’re banned, they just move to the neighbouring reserve and continue doing what they’ve bee doing. It’s a band-aid solution to solve the problem.”

A component of the Tri-Nation MOU is the shared goal of exploring and establishing a culturally responsive, community driven shared police service or RCMP to serve all three nations.

Pasqua currently has one law enforcement officer that works in the community, of which the First Nation pays around $170,000 annually to contract. They also hire a team of eight security guards stationed in their community.

“That’s the goal (to establish police service to serve the nations). I’ve made it clear that this would be a stepping stone, because Pasqua is not losing its focus in terms of developing our own detachment. It just comes down to funds – that’s where the fight is.”

Ironeagle himself is an example of the power of wrap-around substance abuse supports. Sober now for 32 years, Ironeagle said it was culture and ceremony that helped him conquer his addiction issue.

“My family has a long history of ceremony. My dad took me under his wing and said ‘if you want to work with us, you have to let go of the alcohol and the fighting’,” he said.

“It’s not easy but you get used to it. You get disciplined.”

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*To read more stories about Indigenous news in Saskatchewan, visit EFN Media (formerly known as Eagle Feather News.)

by NC Raine/EFN Media

Three First Nations sign MOU to address drug crisis

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