Year in Review: Support rolls in for northern youth

Mental wellness teams are community-driven initiatives which have “proven successful in increasing access to culturally safe mental health, addictions services and support in First Nations communities,” according to a government statement.

Both Chief Tammy Cook-Searson and Chief Peter A. Beatty, from the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation respectively, said they were pleased with the funding announcement. More can be done, however.

“We look forward to continuing our discussions with the federal government and also provincial government to enhance our plans for a new holistic wellness centre,” Cook-Searson said at the press conference on April 19.

Philpott also announced the federal government would be throwing its support behind the Lac La Ronge Indian Band’s quest for a new health centre.

“One of the messages we heard loud and clear was this interest in a wellness centre here in La Ronge,” Philpott said at the time, adding the government would pitch $200,000 to the band to complete a required feasibility study.

Cook-Searson said at the time the band was 90 percent complete the feasibility study. She said the goal of the wellness centre was to incorporate western medicines with Woodland Cree healing techniques.

Beatty said he supported the idea of incorporating Elders and traditional knowledge into efforts to combat youth suicide. He said land-based teachings are needed to promote healing. He also hoped to see real change in the future.

“I hope in 10 to 15 years we’re not at the same table talking about the same problem,” Beatty said. “I think this new funding is something that will help us alleviate some of those things that are plaguing us today.”

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron was also present for Phillpott’s funding announcement. He said he was happy to see the government was living up to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s commitments to a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples.

FSIN working to address crisis

Later in the year, on World Suicide Prevention Day, a pledge came from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice Chief Heather Bear to create a strategy which promotes life in Indigenous communities. At the time, Bear said such a strategy would be complete by spring of 2018.

“It’s about giving our people a reason to live again… it’s about the future and respecting life, embracing life,” Bear said. “Our children need to know when one hurts, we all hurt, and there’s a solution to every problem.”

Startling statistics were attached to her announcement; Indigenous women between the age of 10 and 19 are 26 times more likely to commit suicide than their non-Indigenous peers. Indigenous people in Saskatchewan as a whole are 4.3 times more likely to take their own lives.

Bear said she wanted to see a strong Indigenous voice represented in the creation of a suicide prevention strategy, and would be consulting with communities across the province before creating a plan.

“Knowing and living and understanding [suicide] is far different than looking at a statistic,” she said. “It’s pretty sad. We need something more. The system that’s there isn’t going to help or address mental health.”

Bear pointed to her own community of Ochapowace as a community which has overcome struggles with suicide by promoting, engaging and investing in youth. She cited the community’s multiplex, community centre, weight room and arena as examples of investments.

Youth get their chance to speak

The year’s progress on addressing youth suicide concluded with an announcement in La Ronge by Saskatchewan’s Youth and Child Advocate, Corey O’Soup.

O’Soup spent nearly a full year touring the North, consulting with Indigenous communities and collecting feedback from youth on the topic of suicide. His work culminated in the release of a special report on youth suicide in December.

“Our youth have finally spoken, in a way they’ve never spoken before,” O’soup said as he began his speech in La Ronge Dec. 5.

In O’Soup’s report, youth listed six areas as key concerns they would like addressed, which would help in addressing suicides in the North. Young people in 12 communities said they have concerns regarding public safety, bullying by their peers and older community members, substance misuse, and a lack of emotional support.

The special report included calls to action issued by the young people, which aimed at addressing the themes they identified. O’Soup also added his own calls to action to the report.

O’Soup’s calls to action focused on the work the federal and provincial governments can and should do going forward. He called for full implementation of Jordan’s Principle, which settles jurisdictional disputes between governments, as well as a suicide prevention strategy for Métis and Indigenous peoples, and an end to inequalities in funding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

The youth and child advocate said he would meet with provincial and federal official three to four times a year to follow up on their progress.

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If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in crisis, you can contact the 24-hour Prince Albert Mobile Crisis unit at (306) 764-1011 or the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310. Services are offered in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktuk by request 24/7.

Warning Signs of Suicide:
•    Suicidal threats
•    Statements revealing a desire to die
•    Previous suicide attempts
•    Sudden changes in behaviour (withdrawal, apathy, moodiness)
•    Depression (crying, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, hopelessness)
•    Final arrangements (such as giving away personal possessions)

Communities in need of mental health crisis counselling services can call 1-866-885-3933 ext. 4 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday to Friday.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas

by Bryan Eneas

Year in Review: Support rolls in for northern youth

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