Question Period Note: Lake St. Martin First Nation – Homicide and Housing

• Indigenous Services Canada extends condolences to the
community of Lake St Martin First Nation for the recent passing
of community members and other victims due to violence in
Winnipeg.
• The Government of Canada is committed to ending the ongoing
national tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
and Girls.
• ISC will work with First Nations leadership, Indigenous-led
organizations, and other government departments to support
those that have been impacted by these deaths and implement
strategies to facilitate enhanced safety and wellness in the
community.

Homicide
Stephanie and Crystal Beardy were among four people killed during a shooting at a rooming
house on Langside Street on Sunday, November 26, 2023.
The family, from Lake St. Martin First Nation, was forced to leave their home community when
flooding devastated the community in 2011, as mentioned by Chief Christopher Traverse.
Traverse says the killing of two of his community members shows the need for increased
government help to rebuild after the flood.
Two men — Melelek Leseri Lesikel, and Dylan Maxwell Lavallee — also died in the mass
shooting on Sunday. A fifth person, remains in hospital.
During a news conference on Monday, November 27, 2023, Winnipeg police Chief Danny
Smyth said there are many unanswered questions about the shooting, and he appealed to
members of the public to come forward with information.
Police have not made any arrests in connection with the shooting.
Traverse said plans for a memorial for the Beardy sisters are pending, because their bodies
have not been released from police custody.
Housing
Severe flooding in Manitoba in 2011 caused serious damage to housing and infrastructure and
led to people evacuating from 18 First Nations communities, including those in the Lake St.
Martin area. In 2011, Lake St. Martin First Nation self-reported 194 housing units of which 65
required replacement, 129 required major renovation and 30 required plumbing.
Since 2015, there were 350 new housing units completed to rebuild the community of Lake St.
Martin First Nation, and an additional 16 houses. Rebuilding efforts at Lake St. Martin First
Nation also included water treatment and sewage treatment facilities, a fire hall, fire truck, public
works garage, roads, street lighting, and a K-Grade 12 school. Total infrastructure costs to
rebuild Lake St. Martin First Nation, including new homes, is $197,820,871.
Prevention and mitigation efforts are crucial in avoiding future situations such as those resulting
from the 2011 Manitoba flood. Indigenous Services Canada has invested more than $80 million
to protect Manitoba First Nations from future flooding.
Lake St. Martin First Nation has managed its respective flood recovery project. Detailed
questions about plans and status should be directed to the Band Council.
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Mental Health Supports
ISC funds both the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) and the Southern Chiefs
Organization (SCO) to provide crisis mental health supports to First Nation communities. Both
organizations have been engaged in supporting the community of Lake St. Martin.
The SCO crisis response team is in Lake St. Martin and will be providing supports at the
community vigil on the evening of November 29 and for several days, at the request of the
community.
The MKO crisis response team attended the vigil in Winnipeg on November 28 to support
attendees. They also plan to attend the vigil planned for December 3. The MKO team has
been in direct contact with the family.
The Non-Insured Health Benefits program contracts a mental health therapist to deliver services
in the community two days per week. The supervisor in Mental Health has reached out to the
Health Director in Lake St. Martin and left a message to confirm if the current level of service is
satisfactory due to recent events. They have not yet heard back from them as of the end of day
November 29, 2023.

If pressed on Mental Health Supports
• The Southern Chiefs Organization Mobile Crisis Response Team
has been engaged and is available for crisis support for anyone
affected by this tragedy.
• Families and community members from Lake St. Martin can
reach out to Southern Chiefs Organization to access mental
wellness supports.
If pressed on housing
• The Government of Canada will continue to work with Lake St
Martin First Nation and emergency management partners to
ensure the health, safety and security of individuals, families
and communities.
• Indigenous Services Canada has invested $200 million to
support the community rebuilding efforts, which included the
construction of 366 new homes.
• Indigenous Services Canada continues to work with Lake St.
Martin First Nation on community-identified and community-led
housing initiatives.