Suicide

The file contains an address by Luncheon Keynote Speaker, Dr. Paul R. King of the North Bay Psychiatric Hospital. Dr. King discusses suicide prevention and crisis intervention counselling adding the caveat that attendees may or may not think his methods relevant, but that is for them to decide.

The file contains a presentation by Joe Karetak, Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. Karetak discusses programs to deal with suicide issues in the Keewatin Region of the Northwest Territories (now Nunavut). Karetak also discusses some of the language difficulties involved with operating the Keewatin Crisis Line, participation of elders, and costs.

The file contains a presentation by Joey Hamelin, Metis National Council. Hamelin discusses funding issues for the Metis, some examples of suicides that occurred amongst that community in Alberta, and the role of the Metis Services Organization, and Native Brotherhood in Alberta.

File contains a presentation by Larry Ussak. He discusses his concerns with the way the government handles the polar bear population, specifically some of the techniques they use which he believes is contributing to the populations decline. Ussak also talks about job training, welfare, drop-out rates, suicide, the financial difficulties of life in the north, and related concerns. Following the presentation Commissioner Robinson discusses employment and training issues with Ussak and Paul Kaludjak.

The file contains opening remarks by Maggie Hodgson, Chairperson. Hodgson discusses her personal involvement in the area of suicide prevention, labour market analysis, and training issues in the health field.

File contains a presentation by Donna Roundhead of Nodin Counselling Services. Roundhead discusses the high suicide rate in Nishnawbe-Aski communities, calls for a federal inquiry into the high suicide rate, discusses the need for Aboriginal mental health consultants, and related issues. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of these issues with Roundhead.

File contains a presentation by Karen Acorn, Suicide Prevention Officer, and Nowya Williams. Acorn and Williams address the issue of suicide in the region and express the belief that it is something which can often be prevented when the proper information and counselling is available for people. Williams stresses the importance of involving Elders in community counselling to help address the problem. Following the presentations the assembled Commissioners discuss the issue with the two presenters.

File contains a presentation by Paul Williams, vicar of the Anglican Church in Rankin Inlet. He presents his concerns as an individual on education and suicide in the community. Williams argues that there is not enough funding for culturally relevant education of the kind that is needed. Williams then discusses the problem of the extremely high rate of suicide in the community, and the lack of help in dealing with it. Following his presentation Commissioners Robinson and Blakeney thank Williams and discuss some of the issues raised with him.

The file contains a presentation by Sharon Jinkerson, Native Council of Canada. Jinkerson discusses her experiences dealing with children's suicide attempts, lack of funding for dealing with these and related issues, a youth program and camp initiative she is involved with, interventions and counselling, and the importance of spirituality in treating depression.

File contains a presentation by Shibogama First Nations Council, Sarah McKay. McKay discusses the social and health conditions of the local First Nations, and attributes many of their problems to colonialism and policies such as the residential schools. McKay recommends that any move towards self-governance first start by addressing the mental, spiritual, and physical health concerns of area First Nations. Following the presentation the assembled Commissioners discuss some of these issues with McKay.

File contains a presentation by Tara Perley of the Tobique First Nation, and Phyllis Barnaby of the Burnt Church Band on issues facing Aboriginal post-secondary students. Perley discusses suicide rates and concerns, while Barnaby focuses on funding concerns. Following their respective presentations is a discussion between the presenters and Commissioners Erasmus and Robinson on post-secondary education issues.

File contains a presentation by Chief Simon Anichinapeo, Councillor/Information Officer Noe Mitchell, and Annie Cheezo of the Lac Simon Band Council. Mitchell discusses some of the issues facing the band including social problems, suicide, and a lack of resource access. Mitchell discusses the need for self-determination for her people, and government-to-government negotiation. Next Anichinapeo gives a demographic breakdown of the reserve, and band in response to questioning by Commissioner Dussault. Anichinapeo, Cheezo and Dussault also discuss justice concerns.

The file contains a presentation by the Sudbury Youth Group. Presenters Adrea Chusan, Adrian Abel, Lana Perrin, Steven Hall, Mark Seabrook, and Wasayabeniquoi Dishnikas. The presenters discuss educational, addictions, suicide, recreation, employment, parental support, and general youth issues. Commissioners Dussault and Sillett discuss some of the issues raised with the presenters.

This file contains a presentation by Wilson Belbin discussing teacher recruitment and retention of Aboriginal staff. He states that student activities and sports are fundamental to keeping youth in school and suggests a 24 hour youth centre would prevent substance abuse, violence and suicide in his community. A question-and-answer period with the Commissioners follows the presentation.

This file contains questions and a discussion with workshop participants from the previous day (7 June 1993). Participants include Joe Karetak, Sappujjijit, NWT Friendship Centre; Topsy Cockney, Cheryl Ann Carr, Admie Sullualuk, Margaret Lavallee, Rheena Diabo, and James Donahue, Representative, Metis National Council. Topics discussed are crisis centre funding, female involvement in politics and leadership roles; holistic and healing centres, and youth suicide. Maggie Hodgson, Chairperson, offers comments throughout the discussion.

This file contains recommendations by Ruth Norton that offers 33 recommendations of primary elements of suicide prevention for Aboriginal youth and adults. These include learning about Aboriginal culture, traditions, languages and spirituality; acknowledging the role of women as bearers of language and culture; encouraging youth to have a prominent role in their communities; and having the ability to trust someone, as caring and encouragement are primary ways of preventing suicide.

File contains opening remarks by William Commanda of Monawakee, Quebec. Commanda talks about his own personal experiences and background including the effects of alcohol and tobacco addiction on his family and community, his trip to Denmark and positive experiences of the Danish people, and his belief that all peoples are equal.

The file contains a Workshop Report for the Metis Council of Women by Joey Hamelin. Hamelin discusses the need for empowerment, the need to educate "our communities, ourselves, towards the acceptance of lesbian and gay people," the need for increased female leadership in communities, the need for networking, sharing, and a national strategy to tackle the suicide issue. Chairperson Hodgson then makes some announcements and pronounces the day's session at a close.

The file contains a Workshop Report for Native Council of Canada by Nelson Mayer. Mayer gives a short summary of the results of his discussion group dealing with suicide and suicide related issues. Mayer discusses colonization, sexual abuse, family violence, and the importance of health and wellness issues generally.

The file contains a Workshop Report for the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada by Debbie Klengenberg. Klengenberg gives a short summary of the results of his discussion group dealing with suicide and suicide related issues. Klengenberg discusses education, lack of funding, the importance of health and wellness isues generally, and ideas that have worked in various communities.

The file contains a Workshop Report for the Native Women's Association of Canada by Ruth Norton. Norton gives a short summary of the results of her discussion group dealing with suicide and suicide related issues. Norton discusses how her group discusses colonialism, anger amongst youth, and the need for healing to come from within the community.

Book review of: Sacred Wilderness by Susan Power.

Describes two Inuit youth who walked from British Columbia to Ontario to raise awareness about suicide in Aboriginal communities.

Discusses the suicide crisis and multifaceted suicide prevention strategy which will be released by May 2018.

Presents statistics, identifies data gaps, discusses reasons for suicidal behaviour and protective factors, looks at approaches taken in Quebec, Nunavut and by the White Mountain Apache tribe, summarizes 75 Action Items organized around nine commitments and reports results from community engagement sessions.

Researchers used interviews and focus groups to collect data from 23 participants on the use of the PAX Good Behaviour Game in Swampy Cree Tribal Council (SCTC) communities. Findings indicate positive outcomes for children, but also highlight difficulties in implementation and the need for community consultation.

Search identified 95 articles which focused on distinct populations; 19 articles discussed specific interventions and seven of those described program evaluation in methods and results in detail. Majority of publications on specific interventions were in North America. Majority of prevention/intervention documentation was found in supporting grey literature.

Argues that routine screening for depression in Alaska village clinics, the top place in the United States for suicides, could lead to reduced depressive illness and deaths.

Paper finds strong evidence of behavioural imitation proving that contagion exists.

Argues that suicide has become a leading cause of death among youth in the Northwest Territories, and is now twice the national average.

Examines prevention concepts including evidence of their effectiveness.

Film reviews of: Sober Indian/Dangerous Indian directed by John Maisch. Thunder-Being Nation: The Oglala Sioux of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation directed by Steven Lewis Simpson. The Battle for Whiteclay directed by Mark Vasina.

Sociology Thesis (M.A.)--Queen's University, 2003.

Discusses concerns Aboriginal communities have about sexual exploitation of their children and youth and the need for this issue to be addressed by the community and the government.

Report finds that suicide prevention requires culturally-grounded solutions that are community-based and community-driven as well as partnerships between researchers and Indigenous Peoples.

Thematic findings included: impact of bullying and cyberbullying; lack of emotional support, physical safety, and activities; impact of substance misuse; and how these issues effect emotional and mental wellness. Includes calls to action for provincial and federal governments.

Examines contributing factors such as income, gender, education, community crime, pollution and the ways that people interact.

Sociology and Anthropology Thesis (M.A.)--Simon Fraser University, 1998.

Looks at statistical data to determine suicide rates are higher among young Inuit men than women, of the same age, and of their peers in Denmark, southern Canada and United States. To access this article, scroll down to page 30.

Discusses challenges faced for prenatal and infant care, obesity, mental health, smoking, infectious disease, suicide, self-perception, racism and colonialism and looks at resilience factors.

Public Policy and Administration Thesis (Ph.D.)--Walden University, 2010.

Author academically researches suicide but is also the father of a victim.

Looks at the success, implementation and relevance of an initiative developed in response to an increasing rate of suicide among First Nations and Inuit youth.

Comments on the need for a person-by-situation approach to suicide prevention and the further observation of adolescents in the Arctic compared to adolescents in Western industrialized societies.

Presents data from a variety of sources which may help to clarify what is known and not known about the development of elevated suicide rates.