AFN national chief calls for action on Indigenous youth suicide crisis
OTTAWA The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations is calling on the federal government to create a national suicide-prevention strategy for young people, as a suicide crisis grips a First Nation in northern Saskatchewan.
Speaking to a special assembly of chiefs from across Canada that began Tuesday in Ottawa, AFN Chief Perry Bellegarde said action must be taken to stop Indigenous youths from feeling so hopeless that they are resorting to self-harm.
“We know that too many of our young ones are taking their lives. And so we say to those young people that you’re special, you are gifted and you’re loved. Never forget that,” Bellegarde said. “We do call on this government to finally work with (our) leadership and families and people to finally implement a youth suicide prevention strategy … one that supports all of our young people.”
The Makwa Sahgaiehcan Cree Nation at Loon Lake, has raised concerns in recent weeks about “cluster suicides” in the community, about 360 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.
Band leaders say eight people, mostly youths, have tried taking their lives since the First Nation declared a state of crisis in mid-november. That came after three deaths by suicide, including 10-year-old Jaylyn Angus, over three weeks. At nearby Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation, a 12-yearold girl died of suicide recently. On Ochapowace Nation in southeastern Saskatchewan, three deaths from suicide have been reported in the last month. On Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation outside Prince Albert, another 10-year-old girl died of suicide earlier this year. In Fond du Lac, three people died of suicide this year and there have been numerous attempts, including one last week.
Speaking on behalf of the AFN’S youth council, Rosalie Labillois broke into tears as she talked about her concern for young Indigenous people not only in Saskatchewan, but across Canada.
“We want to commit to making changes for our young people because, as leaders, I don’t believe we’re just here to look pretty. I want to get stuff done. I want to tell you the hard, cold truth that’s happening in our communities,” she said. “Our communities, our homelands, are facing something that’s very dark.”
Bellegarde also called for more aggressive action on climate change as a way to offer more hope to young people.
Despite almost daily scientific reports being released painting a dire picture for the future of the planet if greenhouse-gas emissions continue to increase, Bellegarde said he believes there is a reason to hope for a positive outcome if governments are willing to work with First Nations on real climate action.
“The time is now for bold vision and decisive action,” Bellegarde said. “Their future is in all of our hands and they (youth) are telling us we all need to do better.”
With files from Thia James.
The Canadian Press