2 sudden, separate deaths take a toll on First Nation in B.C.

The sudden and separate deaths of two young adults on Vancouver Island over the Labour Day weekend have taken a toll on the Ahousaht First Nation, according to community leaders.

Ahousaht Elected Chief Councillor Naasathluk, also known as John Rampanen, told CBC News Wednesday that the close-knit community – which has approximately 1,000 year-round residents – is in a state of mourning and emergency. 

The loss of the two individuals, who were both in their 20s, is also particularly felt by the nation's youth. According to Naasathluk, the majority of its population is under 30. 

"Due to the age of the two losses, our youth population in the community is really taking it hard," he said.

RCMP say they responded to a call on Saturday at around 6:30 p.m. PT to a residence where they found the man receiving medical aid from the B.C. Emergency Health Services. It's unclear what injuries he sustained, but police said he was immediately transferred to hospital where he later died. 

A man was arrested shortly after, and he has since been charged with second-degree murder. 

RCMP said in a Sunday statement that they "believe this to be an isolated incident and there is no further risk to the public," adding that "both men were known to each other."

A few hours after this incident, the nation also lost a female youth worker, who was in her late 20s due to unspecified medical reasons, according to Naasathluk. He said the underlying challenge is that Ahousaht is a rural and remote community where it could take 90 minutes "on a good day" to receive serious medical attention. 

Community care 

According to Naasathluk, Ahousaht has been focusing on taking care of its members over the last few days following these tragic losses.  

In particular, he noted in a Wednesday press release that it is providing 24-hour cultural support and counselling services thanks to the support from neighbouring Nuu-chah-nulth Nations as well as service providers and health agencies.

"Many people were present and witness, unfortunately, to both situations," he said. 

"The feeling of helplessness and the feeling of shock and trauma have been pretty deeply set, especially amongst our young people."

Naasathluk said this need to continue providing updates and support for the community is part of the reason why the nation is maintaining a state of emergency, which was first issued Monday.

The declaration also opens up different opportunities with the provincial and federal governments to access crisis relief funding in order to cover the costs of all the necessary supportive measures in the days and weeks ahead, he said. 

Ahousaht Hereditary Chief Hasheukumiss also said that the nation is in need of external support.  

"It has taken five generations to get us here, and it will take five generations to get us out," said Hasheukumiss. 

"We haven't even scratched the surface yet. We are really hurting. We can't be too proud to ask for help. We need help from the highest levels."

In a statement to CBC News Thursday, Indigenous Relations Minister Murray Rankin said he spoke with Naasathluk "at length" about the community's immediate needs. He added that the ministry will continue to work with the First Nations Health Authority to support culturally appropriate resources and health services. 

"Our thoughts are with the family, friends and all those that are being impacted by these tragedies," he said.  

A 9 p.m. PT curfew is also in place until further notice. 

Naasathluk said the curfew was originally enacted due to the uncertainty of the police investigation, but it also aligns with the nation's cultural protocols.

"During times of loss of life, it's common practice for our community and for our families to not be active at nighttime," he said. "And we want to keep activities during the night hours at a minimum during this particular time so that we can focus on those supports and services that are needed."