AFN chief says it could take 'decades' for James Smith Cree Nation to heal
Assembly of First Nations Chief RoseAnne Archibald visited James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) on Sunday.
“It's really important that the community knows that people care about them,” said Archibald.
It’s been three weeks since the stabbings on the First Nation and in Weldon, Sask. that left 10 people dead and 18 others injured. Both suspects are dead.
During her time on JSCN, Archibald met with band council members, visited the area where victims' funerals were held, participated in a sweat lodge and also spoke to one of the people injured in the stabbings.
“The atmosphere, it's still very sombre. People still are grieving,” she said. “So many people were killed and injured in this community and it could take decades really to heal.”
On Monday, she met with JSCN Chief Wally Burns and other leaders during a breakfast in Prince Albert.
Burns and Archibald discussed what the JSCN band has been “fighting for” for the last two weeks.
“New resources for holistics, a lot of it in the mental health area. Housing is a big concern in our community,” said Chief Wally Burns.
The two groups spent a lot of time discussing mental health – addictions, awareness, funding and “how can we better our community with more resources."
Archibald wants to see a long-term commitment from the provincial and federal governments. During her visit, she says she was constantly told about the level of addictions and drugs that many feel are infiltrating the community.
“I know that there have been some initial commitments, but for example, they do need a treatment center,” Archibald said. “They need those mental health supports, they need supports around addictions.”
According to Burns, Canada's Governor General is expected to visit the band in the next few days.
Archibald departs for Ottawa on Tuesday before returning to Saskatchewan on Wednesday.
On Thursday, she’ll participate in an event at Mosaic Stadium in Rergina ahead of National Truth and Reconciliation Day.
With files from Lisa Risom.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.