By Shari Narine Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Shovels were dug into the ground July 19 by the Blood Tribe to mark the start of construction of the first of four recovery communities announced for First Nations in Alberta. “There’s been a long and hard battle for our people,” said Blood Tribe Councillor Piinaakoyim Tailfeathers. Ten years ago, the southern Alberta First Nation declared a local state of emergency because of the sudden increase in deaths due to opioid poisoning. Now, with support from the provincial government of $30 million to cover capital costs and a commitment for operating dollars, construction will begin on the 75-bed facility to be located in the Moses Lake community. The facility is slated to open by the end of 2024. The official announcement for the…
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