The Chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council is speaking out after a woman died in the city this week.
The woman was found in the city’s Fairhaven neighbourhood near where the STC operates their Emergency Wellness Centre.
While an official cause of death has not been released, the STC says preliminary information suggests the woman died due to the extreme cold.
Tribal Chief Mark Arcand is now calling for a community response to keep people safe in the harsh conditions.
“Whatever the circumstances, nobody in our community should ever lose their life to the cold,” Arcand said in a media release. “We have to look out for one another, and have proper supports and facilities in place to ensure people are kept safe. “
In the meantime, the STC says there was no indication the woman ever stayed at the Emergency Wellness Centre or that she was in contact with staff.
“This individual is not someone who was known to us, but it is still deeply saddening to know this happened,” said Arcand.