Gitanmaax Band Chief Executive Officer Jason Wong has confirmed that the band has gone ahead with an eviction of a resident of Birch Grove Drive in New Hazelton that had been accused of drug trafficking by community members.
Wong confirmed that following last week’s ‘Take Back the Night’ rally, an eviction order had been served and the home itself has since been boarded up.
There’s no word what happened to the former tenant of the address, and the North District RCMP could not comment on the allegations made.
CEO Wong adds that the action taken reflects deeper systemic problems, and pointed out that under the power structure laid out by the Indian act,’ Even when we pass laws to protect our people, we often lack the tools to enforce them’.
He’s called on the Government of Canada to increase the health transfer payments to First Nations, so Nations have the opportunity to build and operate their own holistic wraparound support networks and healing centers that reflect community values and cultural healing practices – including first nations owned and operated addictions treatment and prevention centers.
That call to action was echoed by Gitxsan Hereditary Chief Luutkudziiwus (Gordon Sebastian) when speaking to CFNR about the issue on the day of the New Hazelton ‘Take Back the Night’ rally.
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