Eeyou Istchee Cree visit Attawapiskat to show support during crisis

The 2000 Cree of Attawapiskat have lived through multiple crises of the past few years that have garnered headlines throughout Canada. The latest media storm followed a rash of suicide attempts in April, when seven children aged 9-14 were rushed to hospital for possible drug overdoses. Another five children had attempted suicide on a previous evening the same week.

Attawapiskat Chief Bruce Shisheesh had been concerned about the epidemic of suicide attempts for several months, as his isolated northern community had witnessed 100 attempts since September 2015. There were almost 30 in March alone. Seven of those involved people under 14, and 43 of them involved people under 25.

Despite the flurry on concern, little has actually been done. The Ontario government did earmark $2 million over two years for health workers to assist the community. But AFN National Grand Chief Perry Bellegarde called for a national strategy to combat Indigenous suicide.

“Our young people need hope and inspiration,” said Bellegarde. “They don’t see that right now. We’ve got to make those key strategic interventions now. It’s a life-and-death situation.”

As Attawapiskat waits for help, many continue to wring their hands and announce their good intentions. At the recent Liberal Party’s national convention in Winnipeg, delegates voted unanimously to make the youth suicide crisis in Indigenous communities a top priority. However, this priority will be slow in coming: the Liberal motion called on the party to come up with a suicide prevention policy to be presented at the next convention in two years’ time.

While Canadian media coverage dies down, people continue to react. Attawapiskat Deputy Youth Committee Chairman Sky Koostachin said the community has received thousands of letters from around the world.

“We separated all the letters and they’re ready to be given out to the community,” said Koostachin. “We’re just going to find a good day to distribute them to everyone in the community. We received the letters from the Quebec communities and the donations.” She added that they plan to share the letters on social media and “with the kids we want to write thank you letters.”

There’s little money to make this happen but sometimes there are solutions. NDP MP Romeo Saganash indicated that he would help ensure Attawapiskat youth are able to thank those people around the world for their words of caring and support.

Cree supporters travelled with Air Creebec May 28 with a second delivery of letters from the Eastern side of James Bay. Donations of cash and goods had previously been shipped to the community.

Nemaska Chief Thomas Jolly said he didn’t hesitate to join the trip to the beleaguered community.

“We all have to take care of one another, to look after each other regardless of where we live and the hardships we face,” he insisted. “We need to help one another in every way we can. Just being here means a lot. Sometimes just to be present among people in a time of need is more precious than to just give.”

Jolly said Attawapiskat’s living conditions reminded him of visiting Waskaganish three or four decades ago. Referring to the third-party management appointed by the former Conservative government to manage Attawapiskat’s affairs, he said it is “pathetic what the government has done for – or to – our Native people. They’re not allowed to run their own affairs or take care of themselves. This is an example of it. Over time a lot of stuff has deteriorated which has led to what we have been hearing about over the past months. This is an example of what can happen.”

But Jolly feels there is a small but growing sense of optimism in the community. “When they see people from the outside standing with them, it gives them hope,” he observed. “The hope that they know they are not alone. There are people who care and who will help and support them in any way they can. We in Nemaska have a relationship with Attawapiskat. We have an inter-band treaty on how we can work together and this is something that started three years ago. We have had various exchanges through the youth and sports. I’m going to make sure this continues and see what we can do to help Attawapiskat in what they are facing.”

Other Eastern James Bay Cree communities joined this effort by visiting their western cousins. Interim Youth Grand Chief Alexander Moses said the Cree Nation Youth Council was asked to get involved in the trip, and ended up taking the lead.

“A lot of the issues they are facing here are the same issues people are facing elsewhere and back at home,” Moses said. “This was evident with the high number of children who tried to commit suicide in one weekend. It’s knowing what effect that would have not only on the families but the entire community that makes it important to show our support.”

Moses felt encouraged after speaking with the local youth committee. He said Attawapiskat Youth Chairperson Robert Sutherland had a vision of what they want to achieve. “He has ideas and programs that they are trying to establish for themselves,” noted Moses. “I see strong youth who are leading the way on the path. It’s great they are taking on this task themselves and tackling the issues that they are facing.”

After the visit, Moses said he’d like to return to see the people and the community again. “It feels like unfinished business. We went there, we made the bonds and we are going to continue. I say that with a positive view. We will continue to communicate and build on that bond.”

Waswanipi Youth Chief Aaron Happyjack was honoured to be in Attawapiskat representing his community. “It’s important for youth to support and help other youth. It would be an honour for them to come to our community as well to help us out and we want to do the same here. It was our duty to come here,” he said.

Attawapiskat Deputy Chief Louis Edwards welcomed the support. “I’m surprised that the other youth from Quebec came to show support for our community and the youth in Attawapiskat. This was one of the things I was not aware of that they were coming into our community,” he said to a few laughs. “But I saw it on TV and came over to join the group. It’s a good idea that they came and reached out to our youth here in Attawapiskat. It shows that there are youth in other communities and they care and love the youth all over the world, especially the First Nations people. One of the things we should do as leaders is to invite youth and other people to come and show their support,” Edwards said.

A real future is what is needed for the people of Attawapiskat. While the problems are many, we know why they exist. Residential school survivors and the collateral damage suffered by the following generations lead many to contemplate suicide. Added to that reality are unhealthy living conditions –overcrowding brought on by a lack of housing, and a lack of potable water. During the trip there were warning signs not to use the water even for cooking. The high cost of living combined with a high unemployment leads to despair when it is so difficult to feed one’s family. There is a general lack of resources to deal with the crisis.

“Being a leader in the community is not easy,” said Edwards. “You have to make an effort and try your best. I know there’s a crisis but we are trying to make it good for the youth. But we need resources. Today shows there can be good possibilities.”