Tansi, Citizens of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation,
Today I am speaking to you about a grave and urgent threat to the safety of our entire Nation: crystal methamphetamine (or crystal or meth).
Crystal meth is a highly addictive and extremely dangerous drug that is destroying lives across our province and across Turtle Island.
Crystal meth can lead to heart failure, seizures, stroke, permanent brain damage, and death. It can also cause severe mental health issues, including paranoia, hallucinations, and violent psychosis.
Across Canada, rates of methamphetamine use have skyrocketed in the past decade. In Manitoba, meth-related hospital admissions increased nearly tenfold between 2013 and 2019.
Among people seeking treatment for substance use in Winnipeg, roughly 40% report meth as their main drug. Meth is cheap, toxic, and deadly- and it is flooding our communities.
Right here in NCN, we have already seen two separate incidents where individuals high on crystal meth engaged in extremely violent and dangerous behaviour that put our citizens, staff, and families at great risk. Thankfully, no one lost their lives in these incidents, but we cannot ignore how serious this threat is.
Crystal meth can tear families apart and turn even the kindest person into someone unrecognizable, capable of harming loved ones or innocent people.
I also want to remind everyone of the horrifying tragedy that took place at James Smith Cree Nation in September 2022. There, two men- high on cocaine and crystal meth- went on a brutal rampage, killing 11 innocent people, including Elders, young people, men and women, and seriously injuring 17 more.
Families were destroyed in moments. Children were left without parents. Entire households were traumatized forever. We do not ever want to see such a tragedy happen in our Nation.
My relatives, I urge you: Stay away from crystal meth. If you see this poison coming into our Nation, report it immediately to our local First Nations safety officers, our Chief of Law Enforcement, our local RCMP, or Chief and Council.
You can tell your Chief anything and I will not divulge your name under my solemn oath of confidentiality to our citizens.
If you are struggling with addiction, there is help available- reach out to our Nelson House Medicine Lodge, the NCN Family and Community Wellness Centre, or our trusted Elders and Knowledge Keepers. You are not alone; you are never alone!
Crystal meth is not our way. We are a proud and resilient Nation, rooted in love, respect, and caring for one another.
Let us stand together to protect our children, our Elders, and all of our families from the devastation this drug can cause.
Ekosani,
Chief Angela Levasseur
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation
