Taking into consideration the stigma Anishnaabe people already carry around with them coupled with this tormenting and bullying it’s no wonder why more and more Anishnaabe individuals are taking their own lives. According to a study done by Health Canada in 2005, suicide was the leading cause of death among First Nation people between the ages of ten and 44 (National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2012). This statistic to me is alarming and most definitely a red flag that there has not been enough reconciling and healing among the Anishnaabe communities. I feel as though they have lost all ties with their culture, they have been subjected to living conditions that are nothing close to adequate and they are often harassed and tormented.
In my opinion everything related to these high suicide rates among the Anishnaabe community is part of a cycle they’ve been forced into. It has been said that the suicide rate among the Anishnaabe community is almost twice as high as the suicide rate for the rest of the general population (National Aboringinal Health Organization, 2012). I feel as though being told where to live which is normally in outskirt towns, they are provided with less than the bare minimum at times, they are often ridiculed by the public, they are not provided with half as many health services as the rest of the population (Lecompte, 2012) and most of all their culture is lost. Anyone subjected to these types of environments and restrictions would more than likely begin questioning their own self-worth and essentially if life or death would best. This cycle has clearly taken a toll on generations of Anishnaabe individuals and I feel it will continue to if no one facilitates change and nothing is done about it.
I was informed of this video called Third World Canada produced by Andree Cazabon and it is a documentary on First Nation children and the conditions they live in on their reserves. I was unable to get access to the full video but I was able to watch a five minute clip and think it is important to share because it documents some of the hardships the communities all over Ontario are enduring and may speak a little as to why so many lives are being taken early. Here it is.
This video is just a short clip but shows a glimpse of someone taking a small step in the right direction. After watching this I was saddened by many things. No child should live without their parents and the fact that those 2 little boys and the rest of their family have to, to me seems to keep this cycle going. The video stated that most of these Anishnaabe children end up under the care of the State which would mean no one is teaching them about their culture. This would result in a low sense of self-worth and identity which can lead to suicide (National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2012). If something is not done to break this cycle, I feel we will no longer have the Anishnaabe culture.
Kristin*
Cazabon, A. (2010). Third World Canada (YouTube Video). Retrived from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7DIm00tz9E
First Nations Centre (2012). Suicide Prevention and Two Spirited People. Ottawa: National Aboriginal Health Organization
Lecompte, E. (2012, March).
Aboriginal Health Human Resources: A Matter of Health. Journal
of Aboriginal Health, 16-22.
This blog is absolutley, hands down excellent. You have explained to me this horrible cycle in a few short words. You have given me a new direction of thinking. With suicide children will loose thier culture. Definatley something need to be done. The video clip gave me a complete understanding of really what is happening. Through my own research I had an awareness however I need other peoples perspectives to maintain my own knowlege. Thank you Kristin. Heather on Something Needs to be Done
ReplyDeleteYou definitely opened my eyes to the actual province of Ontario. We tend to have a very limited view of what it means to live in our province, and unfortunately colonialism, capitalism and government power have a way of keeping us in the dark with regards to these atrocious realities that our people face. I have made a decision not to send shoeboxes to third world countries, because we need those to be sent to our own children in Canada. Great stuff to know, Kristin. I will have a more critical lens now that you have made me aware of the real poverty issues that we struggle with as a Nation.
ReplyDeleteThe statistic are alarming we need to have change, we need to take action and inform all who will listen that the Aboringinal Youth of canada will no longer be if this keeps going on. I thank you Kristen for this we do need to help to break the cycle.
ReplyDeleteJen.M
Your blog is informative and highlights a very serious issue among the Aboriginal community in Canada. The suicide rates are staggering, especially among the youth. It reminds me of an Aljazeera documentary I recently watched on suicide amongst the Australian Aboriginal community and the rates bare stark similarities. The rates of suicide in Australian Aboriginals are among the highest in the world along with the Inuit and First Nations of Canada. With young Inuit being 11 times more likely to commit suicide than a non-Aboriginal Canadians, it’s hard to imagine how it could be even higher in another community. The suicide rates in Australian Aboriginals have skyrocketed to epidemic proportions over the last 30-40 years. (“101East,” 2012) The social factors that cause such a high suicide rate are mirrored in the Aboriginal population of Canada. The problems stem from consequences of colonization just as we see here. The Australian Aboriginals suffer from a disconnection from their land, culture and traditions as well as experiencing extreme rates of poverty, alcoholism, drug addiction, homelessness, and abuse. They live in very isolated communities where there is a lack of opportunity and coping skills. You can definitely see the impact of British colonization on Aboriginal people throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Kristin!
Lisa
Resources
101 east [Television series episode]. (2012). In Australia's Lost Generation. Aljazeera. Retrieved from http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/101east/2012/07/2012716122018878595.html
Yes. this is something that needs to be addressed. Especially in Northern First Nations that are isolated. Many are addicted to drugs and or alcohol and have problems coping with the stuggles in their lives that may lead to suicide. More support programs have to be set up. I had lost a cousin to suicide many years ago and wish that he could of received the help that he so desperately needed. We have to identify mental issues and not judge those that need help.
ReplyDeleteJennifer
This blog brings up a sad issue that is happening in our province. Many people living in this province do not even realize that there are people living in third world conditions. The media has a funny way of hiding this fact, instead of seeing those sad commericals for africa, we should be seeing more commercials on the living conditions in our own province. I was aware of the high suicide rate within these communities, and the video clip portrayed this fact well. It was heart breaking to see that a mother and father committed suicide and left behind 8 children. More needs to be done, there is a crisis and epidemic that is occuring in our own province we need to do more. There needs to be more programs in these areas that are accessible. More education would also be beneficial.
ReplyDeleteAlissa B- Mental Illness Group
Suicide to me is one of the hardest issues impacting our First Nations communities. When a spirit is so filled with hurt and they see no way, can be one of the most horrific tragedies to ever be witnessed or mourned. Having being impacted by family member's and friends of those having to deal with the aftermath of suicide, my heart and prayers goes out them, their families, and the community left to continue there path on mother earth and by doing so, stopping the cycle. Some ways we can help to stop this cycle is by education, awareness, intervention and prevention programming, talking and healing circles, open up our eyes and ears as to our surroundings, social media, and really hearing what is being said either verbally or non verbally.
ReplyDeleteMigzs Tammy