ATHABASCA TRIBAL COUNCIL PRESIDENT CALLS ON THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT TAWAW HOUSING INITIATIVE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(November 22, 2024, Fort McMurray, Alberta, Treaty 8) – Chief Allan Adam, President of the Athabasca Tribal Council and Chief of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is extremely disturbed by statements posted by Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Tany Yao in the fall Legislature Question Period that allege drug-related concerns at the Tawâw Housing Initiative (Tawâw).

Tawâw is an Indigenous-led housing initiative incorporating culturally relevant healing while addressing health and social gaps outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action 18-22. This program supports the community’s most vulnerable people, deemed “hardest to house.” Without this program, these individuals most likely will return to homelessness, placing increasing stress on emergency systems and putting the larger community at greater risk.

ATC declared a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) in September 2023 regarding the ongoing mental health and addiction crisis in the region. ATC has been working closely with all available regional resources to combat this crisis. Tawâw and the work of the Wood Buffalo Wellness Society are crucial support and resources in the SOLE, aligning with the need for a recovery-oriented care model.

"The ongoing mental health and addiction crisis in the region has had deadly consequences for the First Nations communities of the region. Many more regional resources are needed, not less. Programs like Tawâw are desperately needed services in the region. ATC objects to any Government attempts to reduce funding for such a Regional Service that saves lives," said Chief Allan Adam.

The comments made by MLA Yao are a clear misrepresentation of the facts. For the Government of Alberta to jeopardize the funding or sustainability of any Recovery-Oriented System of Care, especially during a declared SOLE has real life and death consequences.

ATC strongly urges the Government of Alberta to engage directly with Tawâw to better understand the good work they are doing within the region. It is crucial that the Government work with ATC on the SOLE and associated mental health and addiction crises ATC’s First Nation members face. Decisions impacting the services to the most vulnerable people of First Nations communities should not be made without direct consultation with community leaders.

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About ATC

Athabasca Tribal Council is an organization that serves our First Nations by providing relevant and innovative programs and services that enrich the well-being, health and prosperity of its people. ATC is committed to ensuring the protection of inherent rights, Treaty Rights, and their Traditional Territories while respecting the autonomy of each Nation. For information, visit atcfn.ca.

Media Contact:

Athabasca Tribal Council
Karla Buffalo, CEO
780-791-6538
karla.buffalo@atcfn.ca