A fourth First Nation in Manitoba has declared a state of emergency

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The Chemawawin Cree Nation (CCN) is the fourth First Nation community to declare a state of emergency since the start of this year, as CCN leaders say they are dealing with a violence crisis that includes a man killed 14 years ago. old girl

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Last week, CCN chief Clarence Easter and the community band council said in a statement that the community, 450 kilometers north of Winnipeg, has declared a state of emergency and is imposing new guidelines that say residents must be detained or face penalties that include eviction. may be expelled from their homes or society.

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The council said it was forced to take action due to increased violence and illegal activities.

Last week, RCMP confirmed that a 14-year-old girl from the community died from what police said were fatal injuries, and a 19-year-old man, also from the community, has been charged with second-degree murder. death.

Police also said a 32-year-old woman was killed May 4 in the neighboring community of Easterville, while a 35-year-old woman was found with life-threatening injuries and two girls, ages 13 and 14, were found. charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder.

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The CCN group's council says the rise in weapons of violence and public danger is exacerbating the crisis, and that machetes, knives, bear spray and guns are banned. Anyone found in possession of any of these weapons, or found to have harmed someone with any of these types of weapons, is subject to “prosecution.”

The society also introduced a curfew. Residents 17 and younger must be home between 10:30 p.m. and 7 a.m., and those over 18 must be home between midnight and 6 a.m. All vehicles must be parked during those times unless they are being used by essential workers. .

CCN is also taking steps to control who enters the community, as all vehicles entering must comply with security checks or be denied entry, and any non-members entering must declare their business, show and complete proper identification at community checkpoints. visitor form.

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Any non-members found in CCN without proper reason will be immediately removed from the community, the statement said.

The Winnipeg Sun reached out to Easter for comment on Tuesday but did not receive a response.

On May 4, the chief and council of the Tataskweyak Cree Nation (TCN) declared a state of emergency due to increased violence, drugs and illegal activities in the community and said they would implement new rules similar to the current rules in the CCN.

A state of emergency was also declared on Feb. 26 in the Long Plain First Nation (LPFN) near Portage-la-Prairie, as community leaders say a rash of physical and mental health problems has led to an increase in drug addiction and overdose deaths and “catastrophic damage.” .

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“We're losing people, and unfortunately, we're losing young people,” LPFN chief David Meechs said. Winnipeg San On February 27.

A state of emergency was declared in the Peguis First Nation on April 30 as the Peguis Band Council said they are dealing with mental health and addictions issues in the community due to the flooding and lack of regular flooding. protection, and saw an increase in self-harm among young people in the community.

— Dave Baxter is a local journalism initiative reporter based out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Indigenous Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.

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