Northern First Nation deals with suicide crisis

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This article was published 14/07/2021 (1887 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Tataskweyak Cree Nation at Split Lake has declared a state of emergency after losing nine people to suicide in the past 14 months, including four in the last two months.

Other youth and adults have tried to take their own lives or have harmed themselves. Leaders on the northern reserve have reached out to Health Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, the provincial government, and the RCMP for help.

“We have reached a breaking point and our community is under crisis with alcohol and drugs contributing to it,” says a statement issued by the band.

The First Nation said it is looking for “long-term solutions, such as 24/7 in-community mental health counselling.

Grand Chief Garrison Settee, of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents northern First Nations, said in a statement he was “extremely saddened by the situation.

“My thoughts are with the community as they grapple with another loss of a young person due to suicide. Children are sacred. They are the heart of our communities… this is an unimaginable loss for this community and for our entire province.”

Settee said he was in the community just last week “to pay my respects to friends who lost their child to suicide.

“The pain of losing your child is like no other. My heart goes out to those families who are trying to cope with their losses.”

He used his statement to speak directly to the community’s young people and other community members.

“You matter,” he said. “You are important and you are loved.

“If you are considering harming yourself, please reach out to others for help. Suicide and harming yourself is not a solution to the problems you are facing..”

Settee said MKO has sent a mobile crisis response team to Split Lake and he will ask the federal and provincial governments for support, including mental-wellness supports, a crisis drop-in centre, and a commitment to help protect young people from drugs and bootlegging.

“Please keep Tataskweyak Cree Nation in your prayers.”

Niki Ashton, the NDP MP for the vast northern riding, called on the federal government to help the community.

“(Ottawa) must pull out all the stops for the young people,” said Ashton.

“The federal government cannot look away. I have heard from community members who have spoken clearly of the mental-health impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and what it means to have too few mental-health resources and supports. There must be immediate, as well as long-term actions, to save lives in (Tataskweyak).”

William Olscamp, a spokesman for Indigenous Services Canada, said it has been in contact with the community.

Olscamp said, in addition to the two mental health therapists, who provide support from Monday to Friday, they are arranging additional supports including two youth workers while the Canadian Red Cross will offer training for youth empowerment and psychological first aid.

“Additionally, ISC has secured a mental-health therapist to provide service over the weekend,” he said.

As well, Olscamp said Tataskweyak Cree Nation has received $492,165 for 2021-22 under a community well-being program to help support children and families with services, including mental health and addictions, cultural and traditional programs, and in-home supports.

RCMP spokeswoman Tara Seel said the Mounties are putting in place “a more continuous front-line policing presence in the community during this critical time of much needed assistance and support.

“Our officers and management work hand in hand with local chief and council and other community agencies to determine and evaluate the policing needs of the community, and we will continue to do so during this difficult time.”

Seel said the RCMP is targeting drugs and weapons offences in the community because local leaders told them they believe drugs and alcohol have contributed to the crisis.

Last week, RCMP arrested a 43-year-old man after seizing 580 grams of cocaine, several firearms, brass knuckles, and assorted drug paraphernalia from two homes in Split Lake.

Split Lake is 143 kilometres northeast of Thompson.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca