At the UN, Tŝilhqot’in outlines a plan to deal with the toxic drug crisis — but needs the resources

At the United Nations headquarters in “New York City,” Sierra William’s voice shook with emotion as she spoke about the toxic drug crisis in her community.

“Death has been so normalized with our people — smallpox, residential schools, 60s Scoop, this has all led to trauma and tragedy in our communities,” said the Tŝilhqot’in Nation Youth ambassador.

“Self care for us is doing things to connect us to our culture, to our ways of life. The exact things that were taken away from us through colonization.”

William, who is from Xeni Gwet’in in “B.C.’s” Nemiah Valley, was part of a Tŝilhqot’in delegation attending the UN Permanent Forum On Indigenous Issues last week.

During a press conference, the group called for increased support from the federal and provincial governments to create Indigenous-led and culturally appropriate responses to the opioid crisis.

The delegation also highlighted the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action from 2015 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

“The Truth and Reconciliation calls to action outline what needs to happen to improve the health and wellness of our Indigenous peoples across Canada,” William said on April 24.

“If the calls to action were to be realized, some of our people wouldn’t have a reason to turn to drugs.”

Jenny Philbrick, executive director of the Tŝilhqot’in National Government, said the nation declared a state of emergency over toxic drugs for all its six member communities more than a year ago.

But now, she told attendees, there is renewed urgency.

“As we were coming over a week ago, we got news that another one of our community members had passed from an overdose,” she said. 

“And so we are here today to bring this issue back to the table.”

Tŝilhqot’in Nation is one of many Indigenous communities across the country facing the brunt of the opioid crisis.

In March, the Homalco First Nation on “Vancouver Island” declared a state of emergency, saying four young people had died over six months from toxic drugs. The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council also declared a state of emergency in all its 14 member communities in September.

In “British Columbia,” toxic drug overdoses are the leading cause of death for people aged between 10 and 59. According to the province, First Nations people are five times more likely to overdose than other residents and three times more likely to fatally overdose.

“We know why there’s a toxic drug crisis — there are so many different systemic reasons why we’re going through what we’re going through today,” said Philbrick.

“We know what the solutions are. We need partners to come to the table and help us bring our solutions … and move forward in a good way.”

Xeni Gwet’in Chief Roger William outlined a three-part plan involving the governments of “Canada” and “B.C.” but would allow Tŝilhqot’in Nation to deal with the issue “in our own way.”

“We are in crisis,”  he said. “We want to make decisions for our own people.”

William said, first, Indigenous communities must be given resources for their own recovery programs on the land such as equine therapy — including cultural and language teachings.

Secondly, he said, First Nations must have the ability to safely exercise their voices in treatment spaces so it’s easier to seek out help, since people still face discrimination and racism in the healthcare system. Lastly, William pointed to the housing issue and said he wants to find space for all First Nations to come together to talk about solutions.

“The basic needs of our people must be met to stop our people from falling into using drugs,” he said.

“If we can provide safe and secure housing for our people, then they have a place to come together with their families and get social support they need to overcome their addictions.”

William added that “some of the things are already happening” and said many young people are often out on the land with Elders and the nation often holds gatherings as they try to get closer to Tŝilhqot’in law and ways of life.

“And a lot of these programs that we look at — it always goes back to that Tŝilhqot’in law, the land and our water,” he said. “Those are really important to us.”

Dakota Diablo, another Tŝilhqot’in Youth ambassador, said the public safety system in “Canada” continues to fail Indigenous Peoples “because it was never built for us.”

“We have our own traditional laws, values and systems of holding our people accountable,” he said.

“How can our people seek help when structures meant to support our people cause so much harm?”

IndigiNews requested comments from both the governments of “B.C.” and “Canada” but did not receive a response before publication.

Philbrick said since Tŝilhqot’in declared a state of emergency last year, there has been some progress on addressing the issue, but “we’re needing more immediate resources” such as beds for people who are detoxing.

“We have managed to hire a project manager and obtain property for the beginning of on the land training,” she said.

“And we do have some solutions and some plans in place, but we … need immediate help in the meantime.”

Tl’esqox Chief Francis Laceese, who is also the vice-chief of Tŝilhqot’in National Government, said change has been “a slow process.” He said the nation recently met with the provincial government and is waiting to meet with the federal government after the recent election which has slowed things down.

“Especially when you have a crisis — probably just not in our nation, but I think there are a lot of other nations that are in the same situation with us,” he said.