By Mike Stimpson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 17/06/2024 18:45 KENORA – Last year, Grand Council Treaty #3’s fall assembly declared a mental health and substance use crisis across their territory. Now its Grand Chief and Chiefs-in-Assembly have declared a nationwide mental health and addictions state of emergency. First Nations in the Treaty #3 region have “witnessed a distressing increase in suicides and other mental health challenges over recent years, necessitating urgent and collective action,” a news release from Grand Council stated. The release said “a unified and holistic approach” that includes “crisis intervention and comprehensive community support” is needed. Grand Chief Francis Kavanaugh identified “the legacy of colonization and continued oppression, intergenerational trauma, health inequity and systemic discrimination experienced by many First Nations people and communities” as factors behind the…
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