First Nation in northern Saskatchewan takes action to rid community of drug activity

Buffalo River Dené Nation in Saskatchewan is taking an unusual step to make the community safer by removing people from homes where “where illegal activity and unsafe conditions were taking place.” “This is never easy,” says the statement from chief and council on Facebook. “These are not bad people. We don’t hate them — we care deeply for them and their children. But we also care about the children living next door. We care about the families who come to us scared and worried.” The statement notes there are over 150 people waiting for housing on the First Nation, located 540 km north of Saskatoon. “That list grows every year. There are single parents, Elders, and young families doing everything right who are still waiting, while some are abusing the privilege of having a home,” the statement says. The First Nation’s leaders say the day it evicted the members was one of “the hardest days we’ve faced…” “As Chief and Council, we know that stepping into these roles means making tough decisions — especially when it comes to the safety of our community. What happened today was not done out of anger or judgment, but out of care. Care for the people affected, care for their children, and care for the families living around them who have been living in fear,” the statement says. The nation has been dealing with the “growing impacts of drug use and the harboring of drug dealers,” saying they’re not just “city issues.” “We are now seeing much more dangerous substances, like meth and fentanyl, creeping into our region,” the statement says. “These drugs are deadly. And we cannot afford to ignore the signs.” APTN News reached out to RCMP to ask if they are aware of the evictions and whether any charges have been laid against the individuals involved, but have so far have not received a response. APTN also reached out to the chief but has not heard back. The statement by Buffalo River goes on to say that people living in newer homes on the nation have signed tenancy agreements in which they agree not to engage in or allow drug use, illegal activity or the harboring of drug dealers in their homes. “These agreements are there to protect not only their own families, but the safety of the entire community. When these conditions are broken, it leaves us no choice but to act. This isn’t about turning our backs on anyone. It’s about setting a standard — one that says: we will no longer allow homes to be used for drugs or to harbor drug dealers,” the statement says. Read more: Cree Nation of Waswanipi threatens evictions for people caught with large amount of drugs Buffalo River is one of a growing number of First Nations communities taking the fight against illicit drug activity into its own hands. In British Columbia, the Haida Gwaii community of Skidegate banned the members of a family associated with a man involved in a targeted hit and run. Luke Pearson, 32, was struck on a road the afternoon of April 22. Pearson was born and raised in the community. RCMP charged Tyson Young, also 32 with second degree murder. The home Young was living in and another home were subsequently demolished and family members forced to leave. It’s alleged there were previous drug related offenses related to people in the homes. In the following days, social media posts tracked their progress. As they travelled away from Skidegate, one community closed its gas station, making it clear it did not want the family to stop there, while other communities staged protests along the highway. The action prompted the Haida Nation and the RCMP to ask that the protests stop. “The coming together of all Haida Gwaii communities, local businesses, community members, the RCMP and support from the families have all culminated to bring us all to a place to where we can begin to move from fear and anger into grieving and eventually healing,” says a post on the Haida Nation’s Facebook page. Feedback on what the chief and council are doing in Buffalo River Dené Nation has been positive. “This is the start…,” reads one comment by Randy Seright on the Facebook post. “These ladies, this council, this chief are leading the way in our region to help break this curse we find ourselves in. This type of leadership and action needs to happen in every community in our region.” Chief Kelly Montgrand was elected in February, 2025. She is one of four women making up the leadership team, alongside two male councillors. Another commenter, Tatiana Marie says, “It’s about time our leaders took a stand against drug abuse in our community. Good job everyone.” The nation says in its post it has taken this step because it wants a better future for its members. “We are doing this because we don’t ever want to be in a position where a child is harmed — or worse — because we failed to act. We’re doing this because we believe our community deserves safety, healing, and a future free of fear.” Continue Reading