Suicide

Discusses a report released by Survival International, an Indigenous rights organization, which states that the Innu are under continual assault by the Canadian Government. Duration: 3:17.

Consultation to gather information from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to investigate their opinions and understandings about negative and positive effects of media coverage on suicide, mental health and mental illness.

Investigates the factors behind the rapid increase in suicides in the mid 1990s. Initial conclusions point to social change with more research underway.

Video of speech given at the 2011 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Ontario's first Aboriginal Lieutenant Governor discusses the epidemic of youth-suicide in First Nations communities. Duration: 1:11:17.

Study examines factors which contribute to the healing journey for Aboriginal women who have lost a loved one.

Study looks at which protective factor fosters resilience in at-risk to high-risk youth.

Nursing Thesis (M.N.)--University of Alberta, 2007.

Overview of eight commitments to develop and engage stakeholders and Nunavummiut communities.

Lists literature pertinent to the issue of "physical damage to the body", whether caused by intentional or unintentional actions.

Describes how a sample of adolescents interpreted and acted upon disclosures of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation on Facebook or Twitter and what resources they felt were needed.

Using a targeted literature search, critiques mainstream approaches to suicidology and suicide prevention because they ignore key social and structural dimensions of Aboriginal suicide.

Found that 60% of unexpected deaths were accidental (motor vehicle crashes, overdose, downing and fire), 33% were due to suicide, and 5% were the result of homicide. Identified three key areas to prevent deaths and support wellness and well-being: connectedness to peers, family, community and culture; access to services; and culturally safe and trauma-informed care.

Discusses the critical importance of the welfare of First Nations children to society as a whole.

Report commissioned by the Department of Justice. Volume contains annotated bibliographies, including documents, reports and position papers.

Looks at prevention programs and intervention efforts that have reduced suicidal behaviours.

Book reviews of: Algonquian Spirit: Contemporary Translations of the Algonquian Literatures of North America edited by Brian Swann. Building on a Borrowed Past: Place and Identity in Pipestone, Minnesota by Sally J. Southwick. The Cambridge Companion to Native American Literature edited by Joy Porter and Kenneth M.

Discusses feasibility and efficacy of Reducing Risk through Interpersonal Development, Empowerment, Resiliency, and SelfDetermination (RezRIDERS) program based on data collected during 2012-2015 pilot run in the Pueblo of Jemez.

Tribute to an adolescent who committed suicide after moving in and out of 28 foster homes. This film deals with mature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised. Duration: 29:10.

Psychology Thesis (Ph.D.)--Simon Fraser University, 1999.

Discusses risk factors for suicide including: gender, food insecurity, family connections, life dissatisfaction, religious affiliation, and previous suicide by family or friend.

Survey explores various risk factors for attempted suicide among Māori adolescents. Also looks at the family connection, and discusses how programs and strategies can improve the mental health of all Indigenous youth. .

Discusses mental health disparities, implications for correcting disparities and importance of interventions.

Reports results of 99 interviews conducted in1992 with individuals between the ages of 14 and 25 residing in Nunavik.

Examines the phenomenon of suicide among Native Americans, with emphasis on youth.

Reports results of a survey administered to 7,254 students in grades 6 through 12.

Study examined medical records of 160 people who completed suicide in Greenland between 2012 and 2015. Findings were compared with a control group of 160 people who had not suicided in order to assess if risk factors could be identified through medical contact in the six months prior to suicide completion.

Results from survey conducted by the Saskatoon Tribal Council on First Nations students, grades 5 to 8.

Looks at risk factors, socio-economic factors and substance abuse and proposed programming.

Law Thesis (LLM)--University of British Columbia, 1997.

Book review of: Rob Riley by Quentin Beresford. Review located by scrolling to page 202.

Psychology Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Arizona, 1992.

Access to Volume 2 Access to Volume 3 Access to Volume 4 Access to Volume 5

The file contains a general discussion of participants on suicide issues. Chairperson Maggie Hodgson facilitates a discussion between previous presenters and attendees Roda Grey, Diana Delorme, Sharon Jinkerson, Arnold Cheechoo, Adamie Sallualuk, and Caroline Ennis. Grey and Jinkerson's presentations are available for viewing elsewhere on this site. Issues discussed include language accessibility of suicide prevention services, assistance for non-status people, physical and sexual abuse, adoptive and foster parenting issues, and counsellor burnout.

The file contains opening remarks by Joey Hamelin, Metis National Council. Hamelin thanks the Commission for inviting the Council to participate, and discusses the seriousness of the suicide problem in Canadian Aboriginal communities.

The file contains opening remarks by Jane Gottfriedson, Native Women's Association of Canada. Gottfriedson discusses the importance of the suicide issue in Aboriginal communities nationally, and expresses her enthusiasm for the day's sitting and workshops.

The file contains opening remarks by Roda Grey, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. Grey, who works for Pauktuuit Inuit as the health coordinator, delivers opening remarks thanking the Commission for inviting her organization and discussing the importance of addressing the suicide issue to Inuit communities.

This file contains closing remarks by the workshop participants of the previous day (7 June 1993). They include Bev Julian, Native Women's Association; Joey Hamelin, Metis National Council; Monica Ittusardjuat, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada and Nelson Mayer, Native Council of Canada. They offer general remarks about proposed suicide prevention conferences, and propose a future mini Round Table on suicide prevention with the Commissioners.

The file contains further comments by Sheldon Wells. Wells, a part-time student at the University of Lethbridge, discusses his view that there should be support groups for Aboriginal children, including youth treatment centres for drug and alcohol abuse, suicide prevention, and increased cultural programming.

File contains an individual presentation by Rhoda Karetak of Rankin Inlet. Karetak discusses social and health issues facing the people of her community, including the cost of travelling to facilities in the south, problems with fatigue among elders, sniffing activity, and suicide concerns. Following her presentation Michael Kugak asks a question on childcare which Kartak answers. Following this, Facilitator Paul Kaludjak makes some comments and welcomes the next presenter.

The file contains an opening prayer and opening remarks for the sitting of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples at the Citadel Inn in Ottawa, Ontario, on Monday, June 7, 1993. Following an opening prayer Chairperson Maggie Hodgson delivers welcoming remarks and introduces Commissioner Rene Dussault who discusses the composition, mandate, and goals of the Commission. Dussault also addresses the topic of this particular sitting, which deals with the problem of suicide in Aboriginal communities.

The file contains opening remarks by Nelson Mayer, Native Council of Canada. Mayer discusses his organization and thanks the Commission for inviting him to the sitting, as well as the importance of addressing the suicide issue in constituent communities.

File contains a presentation by AK. She discusses the suicide of a family member and the lessons she drew from it. She then goes on to discuss some mechanisms for helping people deal with grief and family tragedies.

The file contains a presentation by Bev Julian, Native Women's Association of Canada. Julian discusses the personal impact of suicide on herself, her training both as a social worker and a traditional healer, and some of the work she has done which has healed people who were considering suicide. Following her presentation Chairperson Hodgson thanks her for sharing her views.

This file contains a presentation by Chief Jean-Charles Pietacho and Sylvie Basile titled "Learning to Sail in Troubled Waters." It touches on youth suicide, the forced relocation in the 1960s of the Montagnais community of Saint-Augustin (Pakuashipi) to the Lower North Shore, and the despair and hopelessness that Aboriginal people experience "with the marginalization that their cultures and lifestyles have suffered for decades." A question-and-answer session with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

File contains a presentation by Chief Tom Sampson discussing the cultural significance of the longhouse where the hearings are being held and how that meaning has been lost through the years. He believes that young people do not learn from the wisdom of Elders and that the recent suicides on his First Nations are becoming "a full-time event in our villages" because of the lack of opportunities on Esquimalt Reserve. Following the presentation is a discussion with the Commissioners.

The file contains a presentation by Connie Chartrand, Metis National Council. Chartrand, family violence coordinator for Metis Women of Manitoba, discusses her work establishing self-help groups for Metis women, and her concerns about the possibility of suicides in some instances related to family violence and breakdowns.

File includes a presentation by Danielle Descent. Descent discusses health and social services issues (including disease, suicide, addictions, family violence, education, and culturally related matters) in Sept-Iles/Maliotenam. Following her presentation the assembled Commissioners thank her for sharing her views on these issues.

File contains a presentation by Dawn Campbell and Karen Scout, two Native Studies students at North Battlefords Comprehensive High School. The two present on a point by point basis identifying problems in the spheres of racism, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, teen pregnancy, loss of culture, boredom and lack of motivation, crime, violence and abuse, education and job training. They also offer solutions for each point. Following the presentation is a discussion between the two presenters and Commissioner Erasmus and Blakeney on some of the ideas put forth.