The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is calling for immediate action from the federal government and the RCMP in the wake of a deadly shooting this past weekend.
On Sunday, A 37-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were killed, and a 44 year-old man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting in a home on the James Smith Cree Nation.
Shawn Moostoos, 33, was taken into custody without incident the following day. Police have sad that Moostoos was known to the victims. Moostoos faces two charges of first-degree murder, one charge of attempted murder and a charge of discharging a firearm with an attempt to endanger life.
FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron says there have been several tragedies on First Nations in recent months like this one. He believes it stems from a lack of proactive measures in terms of drug and alcohol abuse, addictions, and mental health.
“Lives were lost due to the lack of strategic planning and action on behalf of the Government and the RCMP. All of these deaths were connected to drug and alcohol abuse and with proper action, they could have been prevented” says FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron in a media release sent out Tuesday afternoon. “It’s frustrating for leadership to learn that the RCMP were notified by James Smith Cree Nation community members about the risks posed by this weekend’s assailant and about drug dealers in the community months ago, and they did not investigate. Many of our communities’ leaders have also implemented Band Council Resolutions to banish drug dealers from their communities, but the RCMP refuses to enforce them. Our people work with the RCMP, but the RCMP refuses to work with us. RCMP inaction is a problem across the province.”
Cameron also says the FSIN has received calls from other First Nations with similar concerns.
The FSIN is now calling for a new strategic plan from Ottawa and the Mounties to address these concerns.
(Photo: FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron)