First Nations

First Nation meets after tragic deaths of toddlers

Friday, February 8, 2008

The Yellow Quill First Nation of Saskatchewan held a meeting on Thursday in the wake of the tragic deaths of two young girls.

The community buried three-year-old Kaydance Pauchay and her one-year-old sister Santana Pauchay earlier this week. The girls were found frozen to death in a field and some say alcohol may have played a role because their father had been drinking.

Chief Robert Whitehead said the band plans to open a drug and alcohol treatment center on the reserve. Community members said people need to focus on their culture and traditions to address modern problems.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is investigating the deaths. The girls' father Christopher Pauchay, 25, suffered from hypothermia and frostbite and may have been going for help when the girls were left in the field.

Get the Story:
Treatment centre proposed (The Saskatoon Star Phoenix 2/8)
Alcohol root of tragedy, reserve meeting hears (CP 2/8)
Chief gets rough ride on Sask. reserve where girls froze to death (CBC 2/7)

Opnions:
Bob Hughes: Tragedies call for immediate action (The Regina Leader-Post 2/8)
First Nations must seize control of own destiny (The Saskatoon Star Phoenix 2/8)