BROKENHEAD OJIBWAY NATION, Man.- Cities and rural posts in Manitoba are suffering from a shortage of nurses across the province, and now, First Nation leaders in northern Manitoba have declared a state of emergency.

The Keewatinohk Inniniw Okimowin Council, made up of chiefs and councillors from the 23 First Nations represented by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, made this declaration in late May.

"It has always been critical, there's always been a crisis, but it's only been amplified because of the pandemic," said MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee.

The critical nursing shortage affects all...