SASKATOON, Jan. 20, 2017 /CNW/ – Métis Nation – Saskatchewan reacted with shock, horror and sorrow when the heart-breaking La Loche shootings took place on January 22, 2016 – one year ago. Métis Nation – Saskatchewan takes this opportunity to remember the victims of this tragedy and reiterate its support of the predominantly Métis community of La Loche as they continue to grieve the loss of family and friends and embark on their healing journey.

Métis Nation – Saskatchewan applauds the efforts of all governments (federal, provincial and Indigenous) for their efforts in the past year to assist the La Loche community. However, much more needs to be done. It’s important to continue assisting our people in addressing socio-economic issues such as poverty, substance abuse, addiction, high youth suicide rates, bullying, mental health issues, family violence, lack of training, educational and economic opportunities, and the overall sense of despair and hopelessness. There’s an urgent need to invest in our youth and their future.

It is paramount that Canada, along with Saskatchewan, work closely with Métis governments to achieve their stated goals of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. We must, at long last, address the rights and legitimate aspirations of the Métis Nation, based on a Nation to Nation and government to government relationship.

In the long term, this is the only way to properly address the outstanding issues confronting our people and communities in Canada. Métis Nation – Saskatchewan looks forward to achieving the rights and aspirational standards set out in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which Canada recently endorsed unconditionally.

It is only through the necessary political will and good faith approaches that we can ensure that incidents such as what occurred in La Loche a year ago, do not happen again in the future.

About the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan

Métis Nation – Saskatchewan (MN-S) represents Métis citizens living in Saskatchewan. As such, the MN-S strives for the political, legal and constitutional recognition and guarantee of the rights of its People, including the right to a land and resource base, self-government and self-government institutions.

The MN-S exists in part to represent and work for Métis people in their quest for equitable, socio-economic development within the province of Saskatchewan. The role of Métis citizens in governance is to establish, amend and enforce the Constitution of the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, to organize Métis citizens in their respective communities, and to participate in nation building in a good way.

SOURCE Métis Nation – Saskatchewan

For further information:

Please contact Métis Nation – Saskatchewan Vice President, Gerald Morin, at 306 220 0071; your respective Regional Representative; or visit the official website at https://metisnationsk.com/