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Suicide among Aboriginal youth was brought to the nation’s attention after Attawapiskat declared a state of emergency following 11 suicide attempts in one day. Statistics suggest the majority of First Nations suicides take place in Northern Ontario but Six Nations is also in crisis. In Ohsweken young and old have tried to take their lives and 4 year old kids have started developing suicidal thoughts. Suicide is a problem for every First Nation community and Six Nations is no exception.

When Lori Davis Hill stepped into the role of Director of Health Services, suicide prevention became a priority. Hill promotes programming to help teach the signs of suicidal thoughts and offers support to those who are suffering.
“No matter what it is, it’s felt by everybody, it’s a wave that runs through the community. That’s with any death but even more so with a tragedy of a suicide.”

Gerald McKinley professor at Western University studies suicides among Aboriginal people and says it can have a contagious effect on a reserve.
“If you have a suicide in close proximity, you’re at an increased risk of suicidal ideation or attempts or death yourself for up to a year.”

Six Nations police have been keeping track of the number of suicides. Last year there were 13 attempts and 2 of them were successful. This year there have been 4 attempts so far. This is on a reserve with nearly 13,000 people the impact is drastic.

According to the government of Canada, rates of suicide for Aboriginal youth are considered to be among the highest in the world. Researchers say it’s the result of a number of stresses from the fallout from residential schools, to abuse, neglect and loss of culture and identity.