SaskatchewanMN-S says there’s a critical shortage of support and treatment facilities, particularly for Métis citizens seeking safe spaces for healing.’We are noticing the gaps within our systems,’ says MN-S health and addictions ministerDarla Ponace · CBC News · Posted: Aug 31, 2025 6:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 7 hours agoA Métis Nation flag flies in Ottawa on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)Métis Nation-Saskatchewan has declared a state of emergency in response to the escalating crisis of addiction and violence in northern communities.Beverly Fullerton, health and addictions minister for the MN-S, said the organization has identified a critical shortage of support and treatment facilities, particularly for Métis citizens seeking safe spaces for healing.”We are noticing the gaps within, you know, our systems, the hardships that our communities and our people are facing,” Fullerton told host Sam Maciag on CBC Radio’s Blue Sky. “We are well aware of the lack of cultural safe spaces for our people to come together and find healing and find treatment.” Fullerton said they have seen a spike in drug use, gang activity and violence in northern communities such as Île-à-la-Crosse, Pinehouse, Buffalo Narrows and La Ronge, where support is very limited. “One of the things with mitigation is we really know that you cannot compare all of our communities the same and put them all into one box to address these issues,” she said. “There’s so many Band-Aid solutions in communities that are causing more harm … to our communities and to people.” Fullerton said the decision to declare a state of emergency earlier this month was made to prioritize action over discussion.”We are acknowledging that the talk needs to now turn into action, have the people at the table that can come with the solutions, have different ideas and make it actually happen,” she said. Fullerton highlighted her lived experiences dealing with addiction and doing time in a federal prison, which provided her with an understanding of the support requirements for Métis people and other nations as well.LISTEN | Métis Nation declares state of emergency: Blue SkyMétis Nation declares state of emergencyThe Métis Nation of Saskatchewan says their communities are in crisis. They’ve declared a state of emergency to address issues with alcohol, drugs, gangs and violence. We spoke with Ministers Brennan Merasty and Beverly Fullerton from Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and we took you to Pinehouse to learn about the Recovery Lake Program and why it’s finding success.Brennan Merasty, justice minister for the MN-S, brought forward the resolution to the Provincial Métis Council to declare a state of emergency. His said his personal experience with addiction and treatment underlies his belief that there needs a better solution.”When a person is struggling with addiction, and wants to get in the safe space of changing their life around, it’s a small window,” said Merasty. “We have to wait seven days for detox. You have to wait for a number of days to get into the treatment centre. You’re on a waiting list. Well, you’re going to lose me because I’m going right back to where I was.”He advocated for offering immediate assistance to those in need, rather than imposing restrictions or rejecting their requests for help. “It’s time to change the concepts, the approach, the conversation,” he said.Land-based healing lodge proposed”We need to find more ways to get creative, to have more beds available, whether that is a cultural space,” Fullerton said.MS-N has been trying to secure funding for a land-based healing lodge within Saskatchewan to help northern communities, but it hasn’t been easy, Fullerton said.She said there needs to be a place where people can go to feel connected and be engulfed in cultural activities, but there needs to be a more sustainable way to secure funding. “We know that there’s other organizations and communities trying to help people, saving lives. You have all of these non-profit organizations that are trying to do good work, trying to work together, but they’re all fighting for the same pot of funding.”WATCH | Sask. considering involuntary treatment for drug addiction. But does it work? Sask. considering involuntary treatment for drug addiction. But does it work?Saskatchewan announced new policies on drug trafficking and possession this week. The province is considering following Alberta’s lead and having involuntary treatment programs for drug users who are detained. Fullerton said both the federal and provincial governments are open to continued discussions as they seek solutions. Within Saskatchewan, she said, “We have programs, resources, regions and locals that are maximizing their capabilities.”Saskatchewan provides mental health and addictions support with outreach workers in urban centres such as Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert. A mental health help line and immediate counselling resources are available provincewide.”Except it’s still not enough,” said Fullerton. “We can get capital dollars, but what’s operational funding look like? We get operational funding, but we can’t get the capital.”She said that is where the gap keeps occurring, and where issues arise. “We’re ready to deliver. We have an amazing team, so many staff working on the ground. We have programs that are working. We just need the support to expand.” ABOUT THE AUTHORDarla Ponace is a Saulteaux woman from Zagime Anishinabek First Nations. She started as an associate producer in the Indigenous Pathways program at CBC. She is currently working with CBC Saskatchewan as a reporter. You can email her at darla.ponace@cbc.ca with story ideas. With files from Blue Sky
Métis Nation-Saskatchewan declares state of emergency due to crisis of addiction, violence
