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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.