Task force a priority as Dene Nation public safety forum on drug crisis gets underway

The Dene National chief in the N.W.T. says communities are "at the crossroads" in the ongoing drug crisis, and he hopes the creation of a task force will help find solutions.

"There's nothing more dangerous for our community and for our young people than the drug crisis," said Dene National Chief George Mackenzie on Tuesday in Yellowknife, at the start of a multi-day forum on public safety.

The public forum is being hosted by the Dene Nation and includes local chiefs, elders, and other community leaders. 

"We have had enough, we have had enough of other people doing the plan for us…Today a lot of young lives are being taken from us; we cannot wait any longer," said Mackenzie.

The first two-and-a-half days of meetings are looking at community protection and security. Mackenzie is proposing a task force to address the issue of drugs and violence as a priority. That task force would act as a temporary group of people who would represent their communities to lead and plan community crime prevention. 

Mackenzie said that once a written plan is developed it would be brought back to leaders for final approval, adding that he hopes to see a plan finalized in the near future. 

Tuesday's meeting focused on how the task force could be developed. Sahtu Grand Chief Wilbert Kochon said he has already found someone in his community to assign to the task force.

Tuesday's meeting also included an overview of the N.W.T. chief public health officer's latest report on toxic drugs in the territory and action items to help better inform community members on prevention and safety measures. 

Dehcho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said on Tuesday that action needs to come out of the forum.

"Everyone sitting around this table, either one relative or somebody is affected by it one way or another. So the time is now and we need to deal with the issue." Sheryl Yakeleya, MLA for the Dehcho agrees and says the drug crisis is also affecting schools and youth.

"We always say it takes a whole community to raise a child, so I have a responsibility in that too," Yakeleya said.

"So speaking to parents is important and parents need to be aware that this is actually happening, this is real."

Mackenzie said that there is no one better suited to take on the issues currently at hand than the community leaders around the table.

 "We're not being disrespectful to anybody, we are being forceful, meaning it's time that other organizations listen to us and let us do the plan ourselves," said Mackenzie.