THUNDER BAY -- The Day of Prayer is credited with helping decrease the rate of suicide among First Nations people, but Pastor Charles Boyce says the fight will continue until it has stopped completely.
Members of Nishnawbe Aski Nation took a day to mourn and address the losses many First Nations people face in their communities during the Day of Prayer Wednesday.
The annual Day of Prayer started in 2002 by the NAN Chiefs-in-Assembly with the intent of giving communities a day to heal.
Boyce said the day brings communities together through prayer.
Although there are still many issues to address such as unemployment and poor living conditions, the day at least attempts to give First Nations members some peace.
“This NAN Day of Prayer has been implemented a few years ago and we’re noticing a big difference in the number of suicides,” Boyce said.
“As we heard this morning, we’ve lost over 400 people over the past five years to suicide but that has been on the decrease since we started this Day of Prayer.
“These things are very uncontrollable and we don’t know the reason for that. We’re hoping that it will help. There has been a lot of awareness and education and people working like health professionals to tackle this issue."
Boyce added that he would be giving a special broadcast and was attending Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School at 6 p.m. to give a special presentation.
