A First Nations cry for help gets little government attention: Star investigation | Toronto Star

30.4.16

A First Nations cry for help gets little government attention: Star investigation | Toronto Star: The reserve that is home to 450 people in northwestern Ontario was devastated. The band’s elected council and staff were also grieving the deaths, while working to arrange the logistics of the funerals and providing support for its members.

They organized a healing walk through the reserve and along the Trans-Canada Highway to bring people together. After, there was to be a reminder that services and support were there for those who were struggling.

But as the walk drew to a close and people began arriving back on the reserve, word spread that an 18-year-old boy had just killed himself. His death set off a rash of suicide attempts, as many as five a day, as well as a spike in alcohol and drug consumption, said Onigaming Chief Kathy Kishiqueb.

“We were just totally overwhelmed, so council and I called a state of emergency,” she said.