2017.04 ADDRESSING SUICIDE OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLES
Whereas #1 suicide and self-inflicted injuries are among the leading causes of death among First Nations, Métis and Inuit people; and especially among youth, which are six to 11 times the Canadian average and one of the highest suicide rates in the world; and
Whereas #2 suicide is a symptom of many factors including crowded housing, inter-generational trauma, family violence, a family history of suicide, witnessing or experiencing physical or sexual abuse, depression, alcohol and drug dependency, mental health disorders, hopelessness, isolation, low self-esteem, parental loss or homelessness, and lack of access to treatment; and
Whereas #3 community suicide prevention is best undertaken by community members, friends and family who understand the social context of the community; and
Whereas #4 it will require co-ordination among education, justice, employment and social welfare sectors to ensure aboriginal communities have a community-based approach that is rooted in indigenous culture and values to protect against suicide; therefore be it
Resolved #1 that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopt as policy that National, Provincial and Local Governments work with aboriginal communities to address and reduce suicide of Canada’s aboriginal peoples; and be it further
Resolved #2 that NCWC urge the National, Provincial, Local and Aboriginal Governments, with overlapping jurisdictions, to work together to:
- determine the specific causes of suicide within individual aboriginal communities;
- provide aboriginal communities with the dedicated resources necessary to deal with these issues;
- help all aboriginal communities to thrive socially, culturally and economically.