St. Theresa Point asks for privacy to grieve and bury 2 teens found dead in Manitoba First Nation

The ongoing hurt and shock inSt. Theresa Point is still painfully rawaftertwo 14-year-old girls werefounddead earlier this month, with the First Nation's chiefpleadingFriday for privacy until the girls can be properlylaid to rest.

"St. Theresa Point is a close-knit community with close family connectivity. The community is devastated,"Chief Elvin Flettsaid ina prepared statement delivered at a news conference in Winnipeg.

"The youth, especially young girls, are bearing the brunt of the tragedy."

The two teens were found outside a home on the First Nation, about 460 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg,on the morning of March 1.

RCMP believe the girls were outside for a period of time on a night when the temperature dropped to 23 C.They were taken to the nursing station, where they were pronounced dead.

As the community struggles to comprehend what happened, people have been fielding calls from reporters for information and reaction, Flett said.

With the First Nation trying to addressmental health in the community,Flettworries the relentless questioning and reportingcould trigger similar incidents.

"It is important for media and other interested parties to realize that such tragedies create unexpected reactions. Therefore, extra diligence is required to ensure the safety of our youth and community as a whole," he said.

"I am requesting all media outlets to respect the privacy of the bereaved families and community at this time."

• If you or someone you know is affected by these reports, scroll to the bottom of this article for links to support networks.

While autopsy results are not yet available, Flett repeated on Friday that he believes drug use was a factor in the deaths of the teens. The community, like others around it, is facing a drug crisis fuelled bycrystalmeth being trafficked into the region, he said.

The family of one of the girls has identified her as Dayna Shingoose and saidshe was struggling to cope with the loss of her mother,Ashlee Shingoose, who disappeared in Winnipeg nearly a year ago.

Funerals possible next week

Autopsies to determine the cause of the deaths aretaking place in Winnipeg.The families of both girls will then hold services in the citybefore their bodies are taken back to St. Theresa Point, Flettsaid.

They are hoping for a viewingthis weekend and funerals in the community, possibly on Tuesday.

Following that, the First Nations leaderswill hold a news conference to provide more details andplans for aggressive measures to prevent more "needless and premature deaths of our youth," Flett said.

Grand Chief Cathy Merrick of theAssembly of Manitoba Chiefs, who sat beside Flett, called on governments to establishtreatment and health centres in the Island Lake area, which she says has 18,000 peoplebut few resources to help them.

"We should not be burying our young people, as parents. And all that trauma that comes with losing a loved one, and how to let go, we don't know how to do that in a good way," she said.

St. Theresa Point is part of the four Island Lake First Nations, which also includeGarden Hill, Wasagamackand Red Sucker Lake.

There is a nursing station withand dental station, but the nearest hospitals are located in Norway House and Thompson. Many also make hospital trips to Winnipeg,according to the Four Arrows Regional Health Authority.

"It's hard to comprehend that in a country like Canada that in 2023, our First Nations have to beg for housing [and] ask for help in dealing with addictions and mental health," Merrick said.

"I ask Canada to listen to the leadership of St. Theresa Point and work with them, provide them what they need in terms of the wellness, in terms of the healing that needs to happen."

She also pledged the AMC's support in whatever way St. Theresa Point needs.

"I'm again offering my condolences to the families of these two young beautiful girls and the community members of St. Theresa Point," she said. "Our hearts are with you."

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

• Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (phone) | 45645 (text between 4 p.m. and midnight ET).
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (phone), live chat counselling on the website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.
• This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.