Roundtable meeting addresses ‘crisis’ situation in northern communities

Nothing’s changed in La Loche since the shootings in January of 2016.

This is the mentality of locals in the town, who, deciding to do something about it, contacted Prince Albert resident John Hanikenne. Hanikenne told these concerned individuals, he could help.

“I hear ‘somebody should’ too much. I learned the very valuable thing called ‘I am.’ I am the one who can. I am here to do something. I am strong. I have my own voice. With that, I said I should be the one to do something,” Hanikenne said.

A group of roughly 30 people met to conduct ‘all community’ discussion about everything and anything from the cost of food, to the price of housing, to addictions and issues surrounding disenfranchised youth. This was the first ever roundtable style meeting of its kind in P.A.

“I think (Prince Albert’s situation is) worse. We haven’t heard all the stories. A lot of the people here could have talked doom and gloom, but I want to stay positive. I want to make a difference in my community,” Hanikenne said.

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Hanikenne said he feels energized, but overwhelmed by the amount of issues raised at the first meeting. Hanikenne wanted to see more economic development, and more meaningful jobs come to the city.

“We’re all in this together, black, white, yellow, red. We’re all in this community together,” Hanikenne said.

The grassroots organization discussed social and economic development as well as the possible implementation of cultural programing throughout P.A. Currently, the city doesn’t have any form of cultural grounds for First Nations to gather.

Elder Lonnie Caplette said part of the answer lies in economic development, but addictions and homelessness are important issues which must be addressed.

“It’s a big crisis in this city,” he said.

Caplette works with the Homeward Bound project. This organization looks for and provides homes for homeless people struggling with addictions in Prince Albert.

“I wanna see more people involved with the addictions, I wanna see more places for more people to go (when they need help), and I wanna see more people and councillors out there working in the community and (with) the homeless. I don’t want to see what I’ve seen in the last five years – people dying on the street from the cold because they’ve been kicked out and have nowhere to go,” Caplette said.

For community member Curtis Breaton, it’s about giving the people something to be proud of.

“It’s about making people believe in themselves. Once you believe in yourself, that’s the route to a better life and healing,” Breaton said.

The roundtable hoped to turn into a monthly event. The next meeting is scheduled for August 11 at the Prince Albert Indian and Metis Friendship Center. All members of the community are welcome to attend and voice their concerns or ideas.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas