M’CHIGEENG—While he was sad to be leaving the community of M’Chigeeng First Nation as its Enaagdenjged (band manager) in November, Art Jacko is pleased with some of the things he, band council and the community have accomplished over the past few years.
“M’Chigeeng has been a really good place to work. There is still a lot of work to do, but we have accomplished a lot over the last few years,” Mr. Jacko told The Expositor recently. “By working together, we have accomplished a lot in addressing the opioid crisis in the community. We put practical steps in place in addressing this issue.”
“In my first week here, we had someone in the community overdose on opioids and shortly after seven crosses were put out in front of the band office (illustrating the seven community members who had lost their lives to addiction),” said Mr. Jacko. “A peer support/outreach mental health and addictions team was put in place October 2020, and I arrived in December to help put the strategy in place. Since the peer support/outreach team, we haven’t had to add another cross in front of the band office and since the team has been in place the lives of 23 people have been saved.”
“I’m hoping this initiative will continue when I leave,” said Mr. Jacko.
He pointed out other projects have been put in place to address the opioid crisis. “We are taking a positive, comprehensive approach to the issue of opioids and drugs. To address the issues around it we did a community survey in 2021 and 30 percent of the adult population responded which is the highest survey response to this type of survey Canada-wide. Within the survey two things were brought forward prominently: one of the big issues was housing—young people have nowhere to go. Addressing housing was important.” He said the community now has a youth building, as well as a barrier-free homeless shelter with eight beds where people can stay for a night.”
A second prominent issue is food security. He said the band has taken steps to enhance food security in the community. “We put in a breakfast/lunch program in place at Lakeview School. Immediately overnight we saw an increase in student attendance. It helps to draw students back to school, and a similar program was put in place at Manitoulin Secondary School for our students this year.” The community also has a food bank that everyone in the community can access, he noted.
“If you have nowhere to go and are hungry, it is difficult to address the other issues around opioid and drug use,” said Mr. Jacko. “Everything we have and are doing is addressing another component of the drug crisis and is intended to stabilize the community, so then we are able to help provide the support needed mentally and physically for those that are struggling. It puts the person who is struggling in a better space to deal with their addictions.”
Mr. Jacko said the community is working on a plan to put in place transitional housing. Other projects which are still being worked on include replacing the community lagoons, a project which has been in the works for about 20 years, and a new waterline extension on Crosshill Road to provide water toward a new 96 lot subdivision being planned.
“Everything is a work in progress,” stated Mr. Jacko.
“I am hoping other communities will see what we are doing in M’Chigeeng to deal with the drug issue and will put in place similar initiatives,” said Mr. Jacko.
Mr. Jacko has been band manager in the community for the past three years. “My last official day will be November 17. I want to spend more time with my family in Birch Island, and I am going to be doing consulting work for all our (First Nation) communities.”
“My focus as a consultant will be on lands, culture and traditional language development. That is the type of work I will be doing. And I have already had people contacting me to do work like that,” said Mr. Jacko. “I hope to be able to work with the local communities to find what their needs are and help guide our First Nation communities in these areas,” he said, noting the Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation will be finalized soon. “I will be working with some communities on implementation and helping people get back on their land.”
“It is time for me to go, M’Chigeeng has a new chief and council that I know will be continue to support all the efforts we have put in place,” continued Mr. Jacko.
“I’m excited but be sad to be leaving M’Chigeeng,” Mr. Jacko told The Expositor. “It is a special place.”
