Indigenous leaders waiting for answers, issue plea for help following tragic death of 2 girls

St. Teresa Point First Nation Chief Elvin Flett, Island Lake Anishininew Okimawin Grand Chief Scott Harper and Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick spoke on Friday following the deaths of two 14-year-old girls who were discovered frozen outside.
An official cause of death has not been released, but Flett said he suspects drugs were a factor. Harper reflected on the effects of inter-generational trauma caused by residential schools and the lack of support from provincial and federal levels of government. “We need to break the cycle. We have two wellness workers that are expected to help a community of 5,000,” Merrick said in closing.

• Chief believes drugs a factor in death of 2 girls, 14, found outside in freezing conditions