Makwa Sahgaiehcan Chief Ronald Mitsuing speaking to reporters at the Saskatchewan Legislature in Regina.
As the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation deals with a declared suicide crisis, the provincial NDP is calling on the provincial government to support an opposition bill that would implement a suicide prevention strategy.
Bill No. 618, “The Saskatchewan Strategy for Suicide Prevention Act,” was introduced by Northern Affairs critic Doyle Vermette earlier this session. A similar bill was not supported last year by the province.
Chief Ronald Mitsuing said while the strategy would benefit his First Nation, it would greatly help the entire province.
“It’s all over, our First Nation communities are suffering and they need help too, not only our community,” Mitsuing said. “I’m praying for everyone that it doesn’t happen anymore and that it stops, and for the provincial government to step up and prevent this”
NDP leader Ryan Meili says he is hoping there will be support for the bill.
“So far, what we’ve seen are sporadic responses, pilot projects, responses when communities are in crisis, but none of the long-term investment actually reduced the problem.”
Rural and remote health minister Warren Kaeding said while the First Nation is facing this crisis now, suicide is a major problem across the province.
“I think we’re working towards building services that are going to better serve all of our communities,” Kaeding said. “I’ve also had conversations with federal minister Marc Miller (minister responsible for indigenous services), (Wednesday) night in fact. I am to keep him abreast, and certainly need to carry those discussions on at the federal level as to what services and support that they may be able to provide the community as well.”
Kaeding added the ministry will look at the bill, and possibly amend it. However, Kaeding did not say for certain whether it will be supported as is.