Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation has declared a state of emergency over a shortage of nurses in the northern community.
The First Nation, based in Nelson House, said it has had to close its nursing station except for emergencies. The community, about 800 kilometres north of Winnipeg and 80 kilometres west of Thompson, has a population of 3,500 and another 2,500 people living off reserve.
Chief Angela Levasseur spoke at a news conference organized on her community’s behalf by First Nations advocacy organization Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak in Winnipeg on Monday. She called the situation a “crisis state.”
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES
Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Chief Angela Levasseur at a news conference in January.
Levasseur said “insufficient and inadequate funding” is to blame for the situation.
Levasseur said the nurses who work at the community’s station are paid significantly less than private agency nurses, making it difficult to staff the station.
“We cannot continue with the current state of affairs. Our people have a right to health care,” Levasseur said. “Our people have a right to attend the nursing station and be seen by a nurse.”
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