Muskoday First Nation members walk more than 300 km to call for action on Sask.’s overdose crisis

Members of Muskoday First Nation Call for Urgent Action on Saskatchewan’s Fentanyl Crisis

Members of Muskoday First Nation are urging immediate action to address Saskatchewan’s escalating fentanyl crisis. The community, along with allies, concluded an eight-day walk at the Saskatchewan Legislature Building on Tuesday to honor those who have lost their lives to addiction.

The walk commenced on June 9 in Muskoday, a community situated over 300 kilometers northwest of Regina. Organizer Betty Prosper emphasized the devastating impact of the overdose crisis on Indigenous communities.

“With numerous deaths in our community and a recent overdose just yesterday, how can we properly mourn that loss when we are still grieving for our other loved ones?” Prosper questioned. “The pain keeps accumulating week after week. Every week, we witness another tragedy, another loss.”

Prosper highlighted that nearly everyone in Indigenous communities knows someone affected by the crisis. “We are witnessing the loss of an entire generation of parents, leaving behind countless children,” she lamented.

Erica Hennie, another organizer of the walk, revealed that the initiative stemmed from a dream of Prosper’s, compelling them to raise awareness and take decisive action. “She approached me and asked for my assistance, and that’s how we embarked on this journey,” Hennie explained. “We translated her vision into the execution of this walk.”

Both women emphasized the urgent need for the province to collaborate directly with Indigenous communities to enhance accessibility to detox and treatment services. They advocated for an increase in addictions counselors and the provision of culturally sensitive care to prevent further loss of lives.

Opposition NDP MLA for Saskatoon Centre, Betty Nippi-Albright, also expressed concern on Tuesday, stating that the existing system is failing individuals in crisis. “We have a narrow window of opportunity when someone seeks help, and we must be ready to offer support,” Nippi-Albright asserted. “Extensive waiting lists for detox services are unacceptable. Each day, we witness fatalities due to fentanyl overdoses. The prevalence of crystal meth is wreaking havoc in our province, and the government must step up.”

Nippi-Albright stressed the importance of community-driven and culturally relevant healing approaches, emphasizing the need for increased provincial support for Indigenous-led solutions.