Canada aboriginal community emergency after 11 suicide attempts in one night

An indigenous community in northern Canada has declared a state of emergency after 11 people attempted to take their own lives in one day this month. The declaration, signed by Chief Bruce Shisheesh of the remote northern community of the Attawapiskat First Nation in Ontario, followed revelations that a further 28 people tried to kill themselves in March. Canada’s 1.4 million aboriginals, who make up about 4 percent of the country’s population, have higher levels of poverty and a lower life expectancy than other Canadians and are more often victims of violent crime, addiction and incarceration. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the news as “heartbreaking”.

This is a systemic crisis affecting the communities. There’s just not been a serious response from any level of government until now.

Charlie Angus, MP for the area

The Canadian Press reported the regional First Nations government was sending a crisis response unit to the community following the declaration on Saturday. Another Canadian aboriginal community in the western province of Manitoba appealed for federal aid last month, citing six suicides in two months and 140 suicide attempts in two weeks. The problems plaguing remote indigenous communities gained prominence in January when a gunman killed four people in La Loche, Saskatchewan.

The news from Attawapiskat is heartbreaking. We’ll continue to work to improve living conditions for all indigenous peoples.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Canada suicide