The recent suicide of a Shamattawa resident has members of the northern community sounding the alarm weeks after a fire destroyed the only grocery store in the remote First Nation.
“There’s an ongoing crisis in Shamattawa that the leadership is really concerned about, and they want to avoid any more tragedies by being proactive,” Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Sheila North Wilson said.
“They’re going to be burying someone that has unfortunately taken their own life.”
MKO, non-profit political advocacy organization that represents 30 Manitoba First Nations, is expected to hold a news conference Tuesday morning about issues facing Shamattawa, which is about 750 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, in hopes of getting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s attention.
A 12-year-old boy was arrested in September after he and a group of children allegedly set fire to Shamattawa’s band office and Northern Store.
Shamattawa Chief Jeffrey Napaokesik declared a state of emergency; several community groups responded with donations and the North West Company flew supplies north and set up a temporary grocery store.
In recent weeks, a second fire was set to the temporary band office, North Wilson said, adding long-standing housing shortages in Shamattawa are adding tension to an already delicate situation.
North Wilson said nobody is blaming the kids who were allegedly involved with starting the fires.
The community has grappled with suicide in the past, and North Wilson said based on the current circumstances, the First Nation is treating the most recent death with an abundance of caution.
Shamattawa has received funding to bring crisis teams to the northern First Nation to help youth cope and keep them busy.
CBC News will broadcast the MKO news conference live at 11 a.m. CT.