This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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The chief of the remote northern Ontario First Nation of Attawapiskat, Bruce Shisheesh, has confirmed that five more children have attempted suicide in the area after 11 people in the community of 2,000 attempted suicide in a single day earlier this month. Since the previous attempts, officials have declared a state of emergency and a suicide pact by more than a dozen young aboriginals, including a nine-year-old, was also thwarted few days after that. The community recorded 28 attempts in March.
According to Chief Bruce Shisheesh, the children were taken to hospital on Friday night and were in good condition on Saturday. In his remarks, Shisheesh explained on Saturday that there is a need for longterm care for youth in the community. He alleged that “I have a concern that there’s no proper treatment for them.” Almost 18 new support workers from the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, as well as provincial and federal governments, have been dispatched to the community since the mental health crisis began.
In his visit to Attawapiskat, Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins announced that the province would be providing $2 million in funding to help the community. However, Shisheesh claimed on Saturday that even though the new workers have been a “big help,” he is still hoping to gain more long-term commitments from Ottawa as well as Queen’s Park. He stated that “I’m waiting for the federal government to get on board and help us in the community,” adding that there are “no proper resources available” for children.
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