Saskatchewan Mayor Rushes to Shooting Victim's Aid

Mayor Ovide Michel of Pelican Narrows was driving to work on Monday when he heard gunshots. He quickly went to the scene and helped a young man, who survived a shooting, into the local clinic. Sadly, a woman shot in a nearby location did not survive the incident. RCMP are still investigating and have released two individuals without charges.

Pelican Narrows, comprising a municipality and a Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) reserve, faces a growing crisis of violent crime linked to gangs and addictions. PBCN leaders have publicly appealed for government assistance. Mayor Michel echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for more resources, particularly local drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, as the closest facility is in La Ronge.

He also highlighted the importance of recreational programs for youth and increased funding for community safety officers to enforce bylaws, believing this preventative action can curb larger issues. Community Safety Minister Michael Weger stated the province has allocated additional funding in its recent budget to support program expansions, including bylaw enforcement for issues like ATV use, alcohol, and fireworks. Weger, having visited Pelican Narrows shortly before the shootings, noted the community's pervasive sense of unsafety.

Dr. John-Michael Stevens, a physician at the Angelique Canada Health Centre, described the community and its people as "fantastic" but acknowledged that a small proportion is involved in violent situations. He stressed the critical need for mental health and addiction services, noting the clinic's temporary closure for non-emergency services due to the aftermath of the events.