The Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs spent Tuesday in La Loche and Clearwater River Dene Nation.
Minister Carolyn Bennett met with fellow MP Georgina Jolibois, Chief Ted Clark, the Mayor and Council of La Loche, leadership of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, Métis National Council President Clément Chartier, and former students of the Ile-à-La-Crosse residential school.
They talked about the effects of the mass shooting on January 22 and “community priorities, concerns, and their thoughts on how we can work together in partnership to ensure that young people in this community have a real and fair chance to succeed,” Bennett stated in a news release sent out on Tuesday afternoon.
She also said she’s joining Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in committing to be there for La Loche and Clearwater River Dene Nation in the years to come.
However, Bennett didn’t get into details on how she will work with the aboriginal groups of the area to understand their challenges and provide solutions to address their needs.
Bennett refers to La Loche as a “closely knit and remote community” that will be impacted for a long time to come.
Clearwater Chief Teddy Clark was also a part of the meetings.
He says he’s been busy with similar talks in the weeks since the deaths of four people in La Loche and injury to seven more people.