Saskatchewan’s provincial government is committed to work with northern leaders who are looking for long term solutions to combat the recent youth suicide crisis in the region, according to Premier Brad Wall.
“The solution here is family and community, we have to ask the question, what supports do families need here,” Wall said to reporters outside of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band office Wednesday afternoon.
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Wall met with roughly 50 local, provincial and federal officials at the office, to discuss the ongoing response after six girls from the region took their own lives in October. None were older than 14-years-old.
Northern Saskatchewan leaders say in recent weeks authorities have responded almost daily to mental health related incidents and a number of youth have been labelled as “high risk” to harm themselves.
“We were listening to get the reports of the response but also ideas for what can happen going forward,” Wall said about the roughly three hour meeting.
“I am sure glad I was here.”
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One solution proposed to Wall on Wednesday was the establishment of a culturally relevant wellness treatment centre in the La Ronge area. The premier said he was in favour of the idea.
“We asked the premier for his support and financial contribution and he gave us his word that he’s going to support us in that effort,” Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson said after the meeting.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron said Wall also offered to travel with local leaders to Ottawa in an effort to gain more federal support for northern Saskatchewan on various issues.
“We didn’t come here for photo ops or pretty speeches, we came here for one reason, for the youth,” said Cameron of the meeting with Wall.
READ MORE: Sask. First Nations leaders call for ‘medicine gathering’ to discuss youth suicide
Cameron said he and others would reach out to federal officials as soon as Wednesday night to inquire about a meeting with the prime minister and members of his cabinet.
In the meantime Wall said his government would continue to work with northern Saskatchewan leaders to “determine what additional supports are needed that will work.”
“The whole province is paying attention, the whole province is focused,” Wall said.
“I would want the people in this community to know and right across the north to know that this province comes together.”
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