The Cumberland House Cree Nation says it will banish drug dealers from the community, which would also include the loss of benefits and services.
“Anybody found lawfully wrongful in utilizing or pushing drugs on our reserve, will be dealt with. That means they will lose services such as; welfare or housing or any ability to live on our reserve,” Chief Rene Chaboyer said.
Chaboyer calls the drug and meth use on the reserve an epidemic with no punishment for dealers and very little support for users. He says the policy received community consultation, but the First Nation has yet to follow up with authorities regarding enforcement of the policy.
“I don’t want to be known as the Chief that did nothing. [If] I have to put my personal safety at risk as well just by doing this. I know that I will be a target, then so be it, if it’s the cost of saving people’s lives then I’ll put myself out there,” said Chaboyer.
The Chief says he has been in discussion with the RCMP and the Ministry of Justice about creating a safer community.
“There’s no policy or procedure on how to deal with this epidemic, but we are planning on taking action and putting our words into action.”
(PHOTO: Cumberland House Cree Nation Chief Rene Chaboyer. Credit: Dan Jones)