Mushkegowuk Council declares State of Emergency
Press Release
The Mushkegowuk Council of Chiefs has declared a State of Emergency in response to the crisis created by high levels of homelessness, limited access to shelters and the lack of mental wellness and addictions supports across the Mushkegowuk Territory.
“We can’t keep putting a Band-Aid on this problem. We need a long-term solution to what has been an ongoing crisis,” said Mushkegowuk Grand Chief Leo Friday.
“That’s why we are calling on Canada and Ontario to work in full partnership with Mushkegowuk Council and its member First Nations, alongside the municipalities of Moosonee, Timmins, and surrounding towns within the territory to establish a Homelessness, Housing, and Wellness Task Force.”
- This First Nation-led task would serve as the foundation for all regional mental wellness programs and services. Under this organization, initiatives such as the Fire Keeper Patrol, 24/7 crisis response, safe beds, addictions treatment, counselling, case management, aftercare, referral system, transitional housing, and land-based healing programs would be coordinated and supported.
- This organization would also support local First Nation mental wellness programming through policy development, training, workshops, and annual mental wellness conferences to strengthen collaboration, capacity building, and knowledge-sharing across all First Nations.
On Monday, the Grand Chief issued a letter to both Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford urging their governments to help resolve this crisis.
In addition to declaring a State of Emergency, Mushkegowuk Council also passed a motion calling on all levels of government to provide immediate funding and support for:
- Expansion of the emergency shelter (Living Space) and overflow capacity to ensure the safety and dignity of all community members during the winter months and beyond;
- Support for new and existing land-based healing and treatment centres grounded in Mushkegowuk culture, language, and traditions;
- Immediate funding for the establishment and operation of local First Nation community shelters, men’s shelters, safe beds, and transitional homes to meet urgent needs in each community;
- Sustainable funding for the Mushkegowuk Firekeeper Program, ensuring the continuation of outreach, prevention, and harm-reduction supports that meet members where they are and help bridge them to safety and care;
- Establishment of 24/7 crisis response services ensuring coordinated, culturally grounded, and trauma-informed care for Mushkegowuk members in urban areas within the Territory;
- Investment in long-term housing infrastructure and community-led solutions that address the needs of Mushkegowuk members both on- and off-reserve, creating safe and stable environments that promote healing, belonging, and family reconnection;
- Hosting of a regional conference to hear directly from community members experiencing housing shortages, addictions, and mental health inequities, ensuring their lived experiences guide the direction of programming, policy, and healing pathways;
- Development of a comprehensive regional strategy to address the interconnected housing, mental health, and opioid crises through a land-based and culturally grounded approach guided by the teachings of the Mushkegowuk people.
“Our ancestors entered into Treaty No. 9 with the assurance that our people would have equal access to the basic necessities of life, including housing, health and safety,” said the Grand Chief.
“Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 upholds these inherent and Treaty rights, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action reaffirm the duty of all governments to ensure Indigenous peoples have equal access to housing, health, and social supports, and to close the gaps in well-being through sustained, culturally grounded action.”
Mushkegowuk Council is a regional organization that represents the collective interests of the Kashechewan, Fort Albany, Chapleau Cree, Missanabie Cree, Moose Cree, Taykwa Tagamou and Attawapiskat First Nations in northeastern Ontario.
For media inquiries, contact:
Ron Grech
Communications, Mushkegowuk Lands & Resources
rongrech@mushkegowuk.ca
705-365-8308
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