Tsilhqot’in National Government Advocates for Support Amid Drug Crisis
During a visit to the United Nations, Vice-Chief Francis Laceese of the Tsilhqot’in National Government emphasized the ongoing toxic drug crisis as a continuation of historical threats faced by Indigenous Peoples, such as the impacts of residential schools and the smallpox epidemic of the 1860s in British Columbia. The government is urging both the B.C. and Canadian governments to increase funding for recovery beds and essential support services to combat this crisis effectively. Laceese’s remarks highlight the urgent need for action to address these long-standing issues impacting Indigenous communities.
