Onigaming First Nation is lobbying for some new facilities as part of its strategy to deal with youth suicide.
The community declared a state of emergency in 2014 in the wake of several deaths.
Chief Jeff Copenace, speaking at the recent Assembly of First Nations general assembly, says they’ve since added some support staff.
“We created an on-call crisis response team for the first time in some years. We applied for Jordan’s Principle to get a crisis counsellor. We thank the government for that funding. But it’s just a small step in the right direction,” says Copenace.
He says their overall plan is focused on their Anishinaabe-based teachings on crisis response. He says it’s a holistic model that includes mental wellness and addictions strategies and life promotion strategies.
They have also engaged youth, women and elders for advice.
Copenace says they are hoping to construct a new multi-use complex.
“We’ve got a massive, massive infrastructure deficit, as well as an operational deficit, but we believe this is a reality. A place for young people to thrive. A place for young people to practice arts, to practice their culture, to work out, to gym, to learn their languages, to learn pride in what it means to be Anishinaabe,” says Copenace.
A youth crisis centre is also proposed.
