Sayisi Dene First Nation State of Emergency

Press Release

Treaty Five Adhesion, Sayisi Dene First Nation, Tadoule Lake, Mb – Sayisi Dene First Nation has declared a State of Emergency amid an escalating drug and addiction crisis. Chief Kelly-Ann Thom‑Duck and Sayisi Dene Council, have taken this step to bring protection to their Nation which is facing unprecedented danger.

Sayisi Dene First Nation is a remote, fly-in community located approximately 325 km north of Thompson. Policing services are provided by the RCMP through the Thompson Rural Detachment. The RCMP does not maintain a permanent on-site presence. Police travel to the First Nation approximately once per month, if weather permits. When the RCMP are present in the community, this is not routinely communicated to Chief and Council and the RCMP two-member team typically remains in the First Nation for short periods, often for less than two hours.

Sayisi Dene is overwhelmed by drugs and related violence, with little protection in place. A councillor was recently physically attacked. This is unacceptable. The safety of First Nation’s members must come first.

“Our people cannot keep living with this level of fear and instability. We have been raising the alarm about drugs, violence, and the lack of adequate policing for far too long,” said Chief Thom-Duck. “Declaring a State of Emergency is a necessary step to protect our Nation and to call on governments and policing authorities to act now.”

For years, Sayisi Dene First Nation was promised improved policing and better protection. Chief Thom-Duck met with RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme in Ottawa last December and raised these concerns directly. The Commissioner promised to visit the community, but that visit has not taken place and conditions remain unchanged.

In addition to stronger policing and screening measures, Sayisi Dene needs immediate access to addictions treatment and mental health supports for affected members and families. The Nation calls on federal and provincial governments to act now.

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