ATTAWAPISKATT, Ont. - Community leaders are thankful pledges from both the provincial and federal government will start helping to resolve the youth suicide crisis.
During the past weeks, delegations of both Ontario and Canadian ministers have visited the community and have promised to lend support.
Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins and Children and Youth Minister Tracy McCharles have provided $1.5 million to send the emergency medical assistance team to Attawapiskatt for 30 days, as well as $500,000 for a regional youth coordinator.
Last week, federal Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett brought the promise of a new youth centre as well as community and land-based healing programs.
“The problems of our community were not created overnight, they have festered over time, and are now only becoming exposed. We need a long period of stability to heal and regain the hope that we have misplaced due to our chronic issues. We want to work with all levels of government to provide help for our community so we can cast off this shadow and move forward” Chief Bruce Shisheesh said in a statement.
