What do you think the leading cause of death is in Northwestern Ontario? Vehicle-related accidents? Cancer? Gang Violence? The reality is, suicide takes the most lives as a preventable, but deadly community issue. Due to isolation, there is a lack of trained mental health workers, lack of inclusion, lack of confidence, lack of discussions about the topic, and lack of strength among youth to overcome the dangers.
The Aboriginal rate of suicide is 5 times that of non-Aboriginal. Ontario Aboriginal suicide rate was named one of the highest in the world in 2000, when Pikanjikum had 8 girls commit suicide, some as young as 13 and 27 suicides in the Treaty 9 communities. 'City Natives' face issues such as gangs, prostitution, poverty, lack of education and substance abuse. A strong activist on Aboriginal issues and Executive Director for the Multicultural Association of Northwestern Ontario stated, "Poverty, homelessness, addictions, a lack of education, and unemployment make many Aboriginal youths moving to the city vulnerable."
More recently, the students from reserves who attend Dennis Franklin Cromarty in Thunder Bay face an increased risk of suicide. There have been six deaths among school students since the school opened in 2000. Without proper welcoming among city citizens, students feel discriminated against, face homelessness, loneliness and poverty, making it difficult to concentrate on school. These young people have so many stories that we are going to hear in the years to come, much like we are now talking about residential schools. It is truly culture shock when youth leave a small fly-in community that is often less populated than the school they attend in the city, forcing many to constantly think about suicide which is a sign of struggles which needs to be addressed.
Cultural and spiritual teachings were found to be most helpful for suicide prevention options by the Suicide Prevention Coalition's "Youth Voice" report which came out in April, 2010, after consultations in city high schools with secondary students. "Be proud of who you are" exclaimed an Aboriginal youth on a Thunder Bay Television news segment on the releasing of the report. More activities available for youth was also a recommendation found to be important. Another change that needs to take place is access to professional supports and resources, including online, print, and telephone.
Another suggestion among Dennis Franklin Cromarty students was to have a school resource centre and student residence where students can talk to a counsellor, supervisor or trained peer-helpers. The recent drowning of Reggie Bushie raised many concerns which led to broadcasts such as the one on The Agenda with Steve Paiken:
Soon after, another student named Kyle Morriseau raised concern among many adults in the community. Students also suggest that First Native community Bands could select peer responders from each community to watch over other students and report to the school liaison on what is happening with students at school. Potential problems can be reported before things get worse.
Seeking Bimaadiziiwin, a film of Thunderstone productions, is one account of what it is like to have depression in a Northern community. Visit www.firstnationinitiative.ca to learn more. These types of youth social empowerment through film are fundamental to the involvement of the community as a whole.
Another potential help would be the broadband internet access for the North which is discussed more and more in political circles. Youth out-reach workers, protection services, and respite were recommended in a youth consultation with the Child & Youth Advocate office at the Multicultural Youth Centre
The idea of meeting the youth where they are could mean sharing traditions, providing support, or contributing money. But, that does not solve the problem. We would benefit from dealing with the issue and realizing there is a lot more everyone could be doing.
Moffat Makuto presents that Aboriginal youth need the following things: "A warm reception to help them stay in school, and a caring attitude can give them hope for a better life. This can be the catalyst to deal with the pain of abuse and neglect, break the cycle of addictions, and avoid negative lifestyles to cope with an overwhelming sense of hopelessness."
Pauline Fogarty is the Young Adult Team co-leader of Mobilizing Minds, a 5 yr project tasked with finding pathways to young adult mental health, and is a BSW student at Lakehead University. Pauline is a passionate and active social advocate with interests in issues such as anti-racism, domestic safety, anti-smoking, gender issues, food security, and world water security.