Manitoba First Nation Declares State of Emergency Over Drug Crisis and Violence

Chief Kelly-Ann Thom-Duck announced the state of emergency at a press conference in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, describing a sharp rise in violent incidents over the past month that has left chief and council members feeling unsafe even at the band office or local grocery store. A band councillor was recently attacked, and threats against leadership prompted an RCMP response that took two to three days to arrive; when officers did come, they could not detain those charged because the offences were not deemed serious enough. The community currently relies on two band constables and four additional security personnel hired at its own expense, none of whom are trained police officers. Manitoba RCMP acknowledged the situation and said additional officers have been added to the Thompson detachment, with plans to increase the frequency and length of patrols at Sayisi Dene in the coming months. The community is also grappling with the flow of drugs arriving via air, with Perimeter Airlines — the carrier serving northern communities — saying it screens passengers and baggage daily and has invested in new X-ray equipment. Addiction treatment infrastructure remains critically limited: eight donated trailers intended for mental health and addictions services are not yet connected to water or sewer lines, though they are expected to become operational this summer. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said public safety is a top priority and that the province will continue to work with the community, while MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee said the First Nation has been abandoned by governments.