More than four months after declaring a state of emergency First Nations in Manitoba say the current federal support offered fails to address numerous long-term issues in their communities.
The Keewatin Tribal Council — representing 11 communities spread throughout northern Manitoba — declared a state of emergency in March 2023.
Two member nations, God’s Lake First Nation and Shamattawa First Nation, each declared individual states of emergency before then.
Keewatin Grand Chief Walter Wastesicoot said the council decided to issue a regional state of emergency for all 11 members due “to system-wide failures in public safety, health and infrastructure.”
In an email, a spokesperson for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) said Keewatin received $300,000 in
