Alberta Premier Danielle Smith calls on feds to help Indigenous communities with opioid crisis

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the federal government is failing on issues within its jurisdiction, namely Indigenous health care.

At the annual premiers’ conference in Winnipeg, Smith said provincial leaders are frustrated that Ottawa is interfering in provincial jurisdiction issues rather than focusing on its own areas.

She says the federal government needs to better support Indigenous communities in urban areas, and those dealing with the mental health and addiction crises.

This comes after Treaty 6 First Nations declared a state of emergency over rising opioid deaths Monday. It called on all levels of government for immediate support and funding to address the crisis.

Grand Chief Leonard Standingontheroad said the Confederacy is asking the federal government to “intervene and offer more effective, flexible and long-lasting support.”

“Families, friends, and loved ones are being lost to this devastating crisis,” he said. “If harm reduction isn’t available, our people will die.”

According to the Confederacy, the Treaty’s medicine chest clause dictates the federal government has an obligation to provide health care on an ongoing basis.

The Confederacy added it expects all levels of government to adhere and follow Treaty obligations.

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Read More: Alberta’s Treaty 6 Nations declare state of emergency due to opioid crisis

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According to data compiled by the Confederacy, the rise in mortality rates due to opioid toxicity is seven times higher among Indigenous People in Alberta.

It also states around half of the Indigenous People dying from drug toxicity are between the ages of 20 and 39.

‘The federal government has failed’

In response, Alberta Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Dan Williams said in a statement to CityNews late Monday that the “deadly disease of addiction devastates families and destroys communities in Alberta and across North America, and this is especially true in First Nations communities.”

His statement says the province is partnering directly with First Nations to address the issue in the spirit of reconciliation.

“We’re continuing to strengthen these partnerships with Treaty 6 by committing to build and fully fund a recovery community in direct partnership with Enoch Cree Nation,” his statement reads.

“Across Alberta, we’ve announced the construction and funding of three more recovery communities in direct partnership with Tsuut’ina Nation, Siksika Nation and Kainai Nation. These are historic actions by the Government of Alberta that are outside of our traditional jurisdiction but are essential to moving forward in partnership with First Nations.”

Williams added the province agrees with the Confederacy that it’s time for the federal government to step up and provide more support for First Nations communities.

“The federal government has failed to support First Nations to address addiction, and Alberta has been left to address the issues resulting from their failures.”

In a statement to CityNews on Wednesday, Patty Hajdu, the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, says Smith, along with Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre, are “playing politics” with Indigenous communities and “entrenching the stigma” they face.

“That’s a new low. While Conservative politicians work to divide people, our Liberal government is supporting Indigenous partners to offer services that are self-determined,” her statement reads.

“We are making historic investments for culturally-appropriate mental health and addictions services that work and save lives. Pierre Poilievre and Danielle Smith want to take us back to a war on drugs approach. I invite them to leave the political bubble, go on the ground and actually listen to the needs of Indigenous communities.”

In Canada’s 2023 budget, the federal Liberal government is providing $359 million over five years, starting in 2023-24 to support a renewed Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy.

Since 2021, Ottawa has invested over $1 billion in wellness strategies with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, and trauma-informed Indigenous-led mental services.

-With files from The Canadian Press and Phil Wood and Lauryn Heintz

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include comment from the Minister of Indigenous Services Canada.