b'ADDICTIONS SUPPORTLeading Through Crisis with CultureTackling substance use issues through First Nations-led programsand initiativesBY NIKITA DAYPhoto courtesy of Gwekwaadziwin Miikan W hile opioid dependency has been an issue across Canada for over a decade, this crisis has disproportionately impacted many First Nations communities, especially those in remote areas. However, hope remains as many First Nations groups have started their own programs and initiatives to combat this crisis.Chief Peter Collins of Fort William First Nation was first elected in 1998. Having previously been elected as a councillor in 1986 and having served as Northern Spirit Regional Chief for three terms, Collins is no stranger to the political arena. The opioid crisis has been preva-lent in his community for a while. However, through the opening of a new Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinic (RAAM), Collins is hoping that the community can start taking steps in the right direction, not only to tackle elevated rates of opioid and alcohol use, but also to support overdose prevention. What weve come to learn is when people want to get treatment and theres no 30l I ssue1 2021C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'