While Canada Invests Millions Abroad, First Nations in Manitoba Continue to Fight the Drug and Gang Crisis Alone
June 26, 2026
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg, Manitoba — Grand Chief Kyra Wilson of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is expressing deep concern following the Government of Canada’s announcement of $35 million in new funding to strengthen security initiatives and combat gang violence in Haiti and the Caribbean. While recognizing the importance of international humanitarian assistance and security partnerships, AMC questions why similar urgency and investments are not being directed toward the public safety emergencies unfolding in First Nations communities across Manitoba and Canada.
“Every government has a responsibility to support global stability, but First Nations are asking a simple question: where are the investments for our people?” said Grand Chief Kyra Wilson. “Our Nations are facing escalating drug trafficking, organized crime, addictions, violence, and community safety crises. Chiefs are declaring states of emergency. Families are living in fear. Communities are spending their own limited resources to protect their citizens, yet meaningful federal action continues to lag behind.”
The statement comes as Canada announced $35 million in new funding aimed at strengthening policing capacity, disrupting drug trafficking networks, and addressing gang violence in the Caribbean region. The funding includes investments in police services, anti-gang initiatives, and regional security operations.
In Manitoba, First Nations leaders have repeatedly sounded the alarm over the devastating impacts of drugs and organized crime. Earlier this month, Sayisi Dene First Nation declared a State of Emergency citing escalating violence, drug trafficking, addictions, and inadequate policing resources. The Nation specifically called for enhanced policing, addictions treatment, mental health supports, and community safety measures.
AMC recently supported the unanimous adoption of Resolution MAY-26.05, declaring the opioid and addictions crisis a State of Emergency for First Nations people in Manitoba. The resolution recognizes that the addictions crisis has reached catastrophic levels and requires immediate and coordinated action by all levels of government.
“Many of our First Nations are being forced to create their own community safety measures because governments have failed to provide adequate protection,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “Communities are operating checkpoints, organizing volunteer patrols, hiring private security, and diverting scarce resources from housing, education, and health services simply to keep drugs, gangs, and weapons from entering their territories. Some Nations are going into debt trying to protect their people.”
For years, First Nations leadership has called on Canada to fully implement First Nations policing as an essential service and to provide sustainable funding for community-led safety initiatives. Yet progress remains stalled while communities continue to shoulder responsibilities that should be supported through long-term federal and provincial commitments.
“We continue to hear governments speak about reconciliation, safety, and nation-building. But nation-building cannot occur while our people are living under the threat of drug dealers, organized crime, and violence,” Chief Angela Levasseur, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation stated. “If Canada can mobilize millions of dollars for policing and security initiatives abroad, surely it can find the political will to protect First Nations children, women, Elders, and families here at home.”
AMC is calling on the Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba to immediately:
• Fully implement and fund First Nations policing as an essential service;
• Establish a dedicated First Nations Community Safety and Security Fund to support community-led safety initiatives, checkpoints, patrols, and prevention measures;
• Invest in addictions treatment centres, mental health services, and land-based healing programs in First Nations communities;
• Support First Nations-led strategies to combat organized crime, drug trafficking, and gang recruitment; and
• Convene an urgent First Nations-led public safety summit focused on addressing the growing crisis facing communities across Manitoba.
“First Nations should not have to declare states of emergency before governments pay attention,” concluded Grand Chief Wilson. “The safety and security of First Nations citizens should matter just as much as the safety and security of people anywhere else in the world. We need action, and we need it now.”
For more information, please contact:
Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email: media@manitobachiefs.com
About The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs: The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of all 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 172,000 First Nations citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe, Nehetho / Ininew, Anisininew, Denesuline, and Dakota Oyate peoples.