First Nations males are three times more likely to commit suicide, and females are six time more likely, compared to non First Nations people in Saskatchewan. That’s according to a report from the Saskatchewan Health Quality Council, released by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations today (Mon).
Back in 2019, the Ochapowace First Nation and the Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, both declared states of emergency because of a rising number of suicides. At Ochapowace, there were four suicides over three months in the community and at Makwa Sahgaiehcan, there were three suicides including a ten year old girl.
Vice-Chief David Pratt says there were supports brought in, but they were temporary, and there aren’t enough resources to move forward and find healing for all First Nations communities. He understands the issues come from things like residential schools and the sixties scoop, and emphasizes this isn’t about blame, because most people alive today weren’t involved with that.
However, it is time to move forward. Pratt says both governments signed a letter of commitment to work with the FSIN and First Nations communities a few years ago, and there has been some work done, but the FSIN calls on the governments to work with them on a Life Promotion strategy the FSIN has developed.
Click on the links below for the report summary and full report:
