In the centre of Ontario’s drug crisis, Fort William First Nation fights for new facility [Video]

After declaring a state of emergency over its toxic drug crisis last summer, Fort William First Nation hasn’t stopped advocating for more resources for its members.

The Ojibway First Nation, which neighbours Thunder Bay, Ont., has purchased a facility at an undisclosed, off-reserve location to support people who have completed a detox program as they wait to get into treatment.

The problem? Neither the provincial nor federal government has agreed to help support the facility’s operating costs, according to Chief Michele Solomon.

“Because it’s not on reserve, we are not funded or assisted by the federal government, and the provincial government funding sources push us back to the federal government — so we become a hot potato between these governments,” Solomon said.

The Thunder Bay district, which encompasses Fort William, continues to have the highest opioid-related death rate in Ontario at nearly five times the provincial average, according to the latest report from Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner.

“Whatever challenges you …