The message from some of the Okanagan鈥檚 most prominent Indigenous community leaders is that social cohesion is the way forward to beating the opioid crisis.

Members from Westbank First Nation, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, M茅tis Community Services joined the Okanagan Nation Alliance on Aug. 28 to march across the William R. Bennett bridge from Westbank to 琉璃神社鈥檚 City Park as part of their two-day Purple Ribbon Campaign ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31.

鈥淭here鈥檚 more Indigenous people dying (from overdoses) than the rest of the population,鈥� executive director of 琉璃神社鈥檚 M茅tis Community Services Kelly L鈥橦irondelle said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the plain way to say it.鈥�

L鈥橦irondelle, spoke upon the importance of bringing awareness of the social services and support available to Indigenous people, as well as the fact that a lot more needs to be done.

For example, he shared a story of a 12-year-old girl who saved her parents from an overdose because she knew how to properly use a naloxone kit.

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鈥淎 simple thing like that, just learning how to do that can save lives,鈥� L鈥橦irondelle said, noting support groups and spiritual, traditional ceremonies with elders and cultural significance can help remedy individuals and communities who are suffering from the epidemic.

L鈥橦irondelle said he hoped that with events such as these, it can harness a greater sense of inclusion and familiarity between institutions moving forward.

鈥淲e are all family鈥� we carry the sorrow,鈥� Westbank First Nation Chief Roxanne Lindley said as a group of 40 campaigners stood in a sacred circle.

The Indigenous opioid-related death rate has increased 21 per cent from 2017 to 2018 and 12.9 per cent of provincial overdose-related deaths were attributed to First Nations people, according to the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).

To address the growing mortality rate, FNHA began a four-pillar framework for action, which includes providing naxolone training for almost 2,500 people in more than 175 First Nations communities; training more than 180 harm-reduction specialists; investing $40 million into service infrastructure to better support the community; conducting intensive case management for 662 individuals and helping people on their journey to recovery.