An Indigenous community in New Brunswick's capital of Fredericton has declared a state of emergency, with the chief and council asking people on Monday evening not to gather and to keep their children at home for the next 48 hours.
Authorities say the Fredericton Police Force, the RCMP, firefighters and ambulances responded to an unruly scene where more than 300 people had gathered. The police eventually contained the crowd near Leo Hayes High School and one of the city’s premium turf fields and hockey arenas, Willie O’Ree Place.Police said there were no serious injuries during the disturbance and one male was taken into custody and released on conditions.
Chatter at the Two Nations One-Stop gas bar and convenience store was all about the events. Community member Brittani Brooks said she supported the 48-hour state of emergency, arguing bold steps had to be taken against drug dealers in her Wolastoqey community of about 2,000 people. “I support the declaration because I’m dealing with a similar situation,” she said. “I have a drug house near me. And these people who come by, they’re always in my yard, they’re always looking over my yard. I have no privacy, and I don’t like it. They think I’m selling drugs and come knocking at my door. It’s happened a few times, where they pull in my driveway and demand stuff.
In its Facebook post, the council urged people in the community who are suffering to contact the First Nation’s critical incident stress management team or to visit the sacred fire and drum circle at the Maqiyahtimok, a large community and health centre beside the Chief Harold Sappier Memorial Elementary School.“During this time, we ask citizens to refrain from gathering and to keep children at home.
“I trust the leadership in that community that they’re making the decisions that they feel are best for their community,” Rogers said. “St. Mary’s First Nation and the city, we share this land, and it’s in the heart of the north side. So clearly when you’re seeing these things, it spills beyond the boundary of the First Nation.
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