THUNDER BAY -- Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler called on the federal and provincial governments to form an emergency task force to deal with a 30-year suicide pandemic in Ontario's First Nation communities.
"if you look back at the history of NAN over the last 30 years, we've lost over 600 of our community members, Fiddler told First Nations leaders gathered at NAN's Winter Chief's Assembly in Thunder Bay.
Fiddler's comments came on the heels of a comprehensive report on suicide which was released by the Mushkegowuk Council this made 16 recommendations designed to stop the crisis.
Recommendations include solutions to deal with bullying, substance abuse, the lingering effects of the residential school system and lateral violence prevalent in Aboriginal communities.
Solutions are presented in ways to make them accessible to all, said the report's lead commissioner, Mike Metatawabin of Fort Albany First Nation, noting he realizes NAN has looked at the issue in the past.
"Leadership can take the report and it has some kinds of general ways on how they can implement the recommendations," Metatawabin said, adding resources and money is needed to energize First Nation youth with different activities and programs are needed to combat problems like bullying.
"It's become too routine," Fiddler said.
"We need to come together now. These issues are too urgent. Our front line agencies are unable to cope. Our communities are unable to address the trauma they have to face all too often."
Seth Fiddler of Sandy Lake First Nation knows the pain all too well.
One of several youths to address the audience, he recounted his painful experience dealing with the aftermath of suicide -- not once, but twice.
"When I was 14 I lost my best friend to suicide. I was there when they found him," he said, trying to hold back tears.
"I even lost my mother to suicide. I was only six. Everyone needs to know what bullying can do. It won't stop unless we do something now."
The inspiration for the report, titled The People's Inquiry Into Our Suicide Pandemic, emerged at the peak of a suicide crisis in 2010, when a regional summit was held in an attempt to bring the threat under control.
A state of emergency was declared by the Muskegowuk chief and a public inquirty was held. Five years ago the Muskegowuk Annual General Assembly decided to take control of the situation and launch their own process for a public inquiry, resulting in the latest report, which presents stories from nearly 80 Aboriginal voices.
Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon said the problem doesn't just affect certain communities, it affects all First Nation communities across Ontario's north.
It became too painful to sit and watch the problem continue to grow, with nothing being done to put an end to the self-killings.
"Something had to be done," he said, emotions running high. "In my first term in Kashechewan, I laid to rest seven people due to suicide," Solomon said.
He then turned to Liberal cabinet ministers Michael Gravelle, Bill Mauro and David Zimmer, the province's Aboriginal Affairs minister.
"Be part of the resolution," Solomon pleaded.
Gravelle said the province had just received the report and hadn't had time to discuss its contents, but promised to take the matter back to Queen's Park.
"Obviously this report is a very, very important one and a significant one and we'll be bringing it back to Queen's Park. I think we certainly all have a responsibility to find a way to work together in the most positive, cooperative way to try to stop this tragedy."
The report may not provide immediate answers, but it's a great start said 20-year old Clyde Moonias of Neskantaga First Nation, whose community of about 400 in 2013 endured 27 suicide attempts, seven of which were successful.
"It gives me hope," he said.
