Intertribal Life Newspaper -

FORT MCMURRAY, AB- A First Nations group in northern Alberta has declared a state of emergency and launched a task force to tackle an escalating mental health and addictions crisis that they say has caused the deaths of dozens of community members. 

The Athabasca Tribal Council, which represents five First Nations in northern Alberta, says 60 community members have died this year from overdose, suicides, and self-harm. The council is calling on all levels of government for financial support.

This ATC notes that this amounts to more loss of life in ATC First Nations than were reported in...