NationTalk: ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB —Today the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is unveiling the latest in our comprehensive public campaign focused on harm reduction and the prevention and awareness of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBIs).
“Our relations who use substances face struggles every day as we continue to live with trauma and the intergenerational impacts of colonization. As leaders, we must come together to do everything to protect and care for our relatives who may be struggling,” stated SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Harm reduction is an act of love, and I am proud to say that SCO will continue to show our commitment to helping reduce the potential harm that our relatives may experience in their journey.”
SCO’s second annual harm reduction outreach will focus on seven key themes: community, acceptance, celebration, connection, purpose, diversity, and protection. The campaign has special recognition of our two spirit relations, as we recognize their sacred role in our Nations. This public education and awareness campaign includes print materials, billboards, bus boards, social media, and traditional media engagement.
The campaign supports SCO’s Harm Reduction Program. SCO staff offer free harm reduction training and supplies, including nasal Naloxone (NARCAN) kits from our Dublin office location in Winnipeg and the distribution of other life saving supplies to our member Nations. Last year, the program supported more than 6300 citizens, and distributed more than 5700 nasal Naloxone kits and more than 20,5000 other harm reduction supplies.
“In my Nation, I witness how hundreds of years of colonial oppression—through harmful structures, policies, and laws—have resulted in us being disconnected from our lands, culture, medicines, ceremonies, and relations,” added Chief Trevor Prince of the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation. “Compounded by the residential and days schools, Sixties Scoop, and the child welfare system, this has led to devastating trauma. I call on my fellow Chiefs and our broader community to come to together to keep loved ones who are impacted by substance use safe, offering love and support, minimizing the harms associated with substance use, and supporting them on their healing journey that includes additional treatment centres.”
SCO first launched our Harm Reduction Program in 2022 and followed that up with a comprehensive public education and awareness campaign in 2023 focused on preventing and increasing awareness of HIV, STBBIs, and harm reduction. SCO is also pleased to collaborate with our provincial Treaty partner and is supportive of the work to establish a supervised consumption site in downtown Winnipeg.
“Harm reduction is definitely a true collaborative effort,” added Grand Chief Daniels. “I call on all levels of government and related agencies to walk with us as we all strive to put an end to toxic drug poisonings, overdose, concurrent infections, and complications associated with problematic substance use for First Nations people.”
For more information on SCO’s harm reduction work, visit our website.
Community – Harm reduction builds safer, inclusive, and stronger Nations for all.
Acceptance – We all love people who use substances.
Celebration – Our Two-Spirit relatives are healers, leaders, advisors, peacemakers, and caregivers.
Connection – Culture and community are medicine for our relatives who use substances.
Purpose – Everyone has gifts to offer our community.
Diversity – Pathways to wellness are different for everyone.
Protection – Get tested regularly and know your HIV status.
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca