Ontario announced $1 million in funding for mental health and addictions supports to Chippewas of the Thames First Nation Thursday with the long-term goal of building two new treatment facilities for the area’s three Indigenous communities to use.
The move is part of larger efforts to address rising rates of illegal drugs and human trafficking through the development of a community wellness and mental health strategy.
“We all know that there are huge gaps in accessing those types of services from detox to treatment,” said chief Jacqueline French.
“We can’t continue down this road at this rate or we’ll lose generations,” French said, noting there have been multiple overdoses in the community and “huge” waiting lists for addictions treatment.
Jacqueline French, chief of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, says the $1M in provincial funding will contribute to addressing the immediate approach in supporting our people to the road and healing and recovery. (Michelle Both/CBC)
“It’s just next to impossible to access those services outside of our community,” she said. “There is definitely a need for more because of the increase of what we’re seeing happening in our community.”
‘We can’t fix this problem by ourselves’
MPP Michael Tibollo, Ontario’s associate minister of mental health and addictions, came to the First Nation for the announcement.
“When it comes to finding an effective mental health care system for Indigenous peoples, there are far too many barriers to access and culturally safe options are few for people from Indigenous communities, and this is something that we must change,” said Tibollo.
Jacqueline French, Chief of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, (left) and councillor Myeengun Henry (right) present MPP Michael Tibollo, Ontario’s associate minister of mental health and addictions, with a painting and belt in honour of the announcement on May 4. (Michelle Both/CBC)
Since 2022, he…