THE WAPEKEKA SAFETY-NET

PROJECT

A presentation by the Wapekeka First Nation

& the Intergovernmental Committee

on Aboriginal Youth Suicide

Intergovernmental Committee on Aboriginal Youth Suicide (IGC)Quetico Centre, Atikokan, Ontario

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2002

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Background 1867 - BNA Act gives Federal Government

legislative authority over “Indians, and land reserved for the Indians”

1876 - Indian Act Land management Definition of Indian ‘status’ Goal of assimilation

1985 - ‘An Act to Amend the Indian Act’ eliminating sexual discrimination,

redefining status ¾ of the original Act remains intact today

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Some related facts...In Canada...

Aboriginal population makes up about 3.75% of Canadian population, or 1.2 million

Aboriginal birth rate is 3 times the national average and is increasing

31% of the Aboriginal population is under 15 years of age (50% under 25 years)

average age of Aboriginal population is 25.5 years

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B.C.Alta

Sask Man

OntQue

Nunavut

Yk

NWT

Atlantic Provinces(NB, NS , PEI and Nfld/Lab))

16.513.6

17.0 14.9

21.6 9.0

3.8

2.51.2

REGISTERED INDIAN POPULATION, CANADA, 2001(* percent figures: N = 622,901)

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Some related facts...

In Canada…

infant mortality rate is more than double the rate for the rest of the country

1/3 of Aboriginal deaths are due to accidents and violence

diabetes, tuberculosis rates are escalating

disability rate is twice the national average

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Ontario First Nations about 20% of Canada’s Aboriginal population

lives in Ontario

1/3 of Ontario’s First Nation communities are located in the remote or semi-remote north

historically… Iroquois occupied southern Ontario

Algonquin tribes (including Ojibway and Cree) occupied northern Ontario

between 1850 & 1929, five treaties were signed covering the Northern Ontario territory

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Ontario Treaty Areas

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3 A

B

C

A = Robinson-SuperiorB = Robinson-HuronC = Pre-Confederation

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Nishanawbe-Aski Nation largest treaty area in Ontario is Treaty # 9,

comprised of the lands of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN)

NAN territory accounts for over 1/2 of the total Ontario land mass (200,000 square miles)

50 different NAN communities; 33 are accessible only by air

approximately 28,000 population

name is based on a sacred principle-the people, the land and the relationship between them

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Key Issues isolation

lack of economic development/employment opportunities

inadequate housing, community services, medical & dental services, education

cultural loss & disintegration which lead to… family violence substance abuse youth suicide

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in eight year period 1978 - 1985, there were 20 completed suicides in NAN

from 1986 to 1993 the number of suicides quadrupled to 81

in year 2000, number of youth suicides in NAN peaked at all time high of 26

health care providers have documented approximately 500 suicide attempts annually

new trend emerging - # of girls committing suicide now equals the number of boys

Youth Suicide

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“a social crisis of epidemic proportions”

Suicide… a response to ongoing conflict, loss and

grief

a coping strategy for dealing with an unending cycle of poverty and abuse

a protest against pain

a self harm behavior gone too far

a cry for recognition

an expression of hopelessness

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“From fear to safety”

NAN Youth are “calling for a shift…

from blaming to taking responsibility

from excuses for staying stuck in pain to healing

from being controlled to freedom of choice

from fear to safety”

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Safety, Community & Suicide Prevention

the need for safety is a basic human need, especially pronounced among children and young people

many young people have issues of personal safety - i.e. bullying, substance abuse, sexual assault

in some remote NAN communities basic safety precautions, practices and enforcement measures are not in place

factors exist in the geographic, political, social, and economic environments that have made it difficult to provide physical and emotional safety for the inhabitants

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The Wapekeka First Nation Experience

451 KM north of Sioux Lookout

population 363

main language Oji-Cree

year round access by air

diesel generated electric power since 1991; new water and sewage system in 1999; new

housing under construction; new communitycentre in 2002

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The Wapekeka First Nation Experience

major facilities include elementary school, Band office, Health Centre, small business centre, hydro plant, airport, churches

two First Nations constables

annual Survivors of Suicide (SOS) conference

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youth suicide problem beginning in 1980

four suicide deaths in 1989

1991 - Survivors of Suicide (SOS) conference

from 1989 to 1999 total of 15 suicide deaths

in 1999-2000, over 40 suicide attempts; 2 suicide deaths

The Wapekeka First Nation Experience

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Wapekeka Suicide Prevention Program - ‘SPP’

needs driven, community-based

involvement of all age groups

anchored at the Youth Centre

Youth & Elder Councils

Youth Patrol

broad range of programs: suicide risk assessment, recreation, elder support, marriage counselling, parent support, radio station, part-time employment, probation…...

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SPP Evaluations Intergovernmental Committee on

Aboriginal Youth Suicide commissioned two evaluations of the Wapekeka SPP

collaborative research strategy

questionnaires, focus groups, interviews, observation & documents analysis

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Stage 1 (Program Development) Evaluation….findings

Stage 1 evaluation conducted in August 2001(5 days on-site)

on-site research support provided by SPP staff

last suicide death in October, 1999

estimated 50% to 75% decline in attempts

significant decline in transfers out of community for suicide counselling and related issues

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50% decline in reported alcohol/drug problems among youth

significant decrease in reported youth crime

reported general overall improvement in physical and emotional health in community

strong community involvement in, and supportfor the SPP program

Stage 1 Evaluation….findings

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Stage 1 Evaluation….strengths

flexible, responsive design

integrated problem-solving approach

makes use of, builds on local expertise

supported by training & awareness/education

use of appropriate technology

capacity building - infrastructure, expertise

long-term vision

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Need for: development of protocols, common-

record keeping system with other community agencies

improved record-keeping and accountability process

staff training

regular program monitoring

Stage 1 Evaluation….needs

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Need for: flexible, needs-driven funding envelope

plan for sustainability

Stage 1 Evaluation….needs

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Stage 2- the Challenge of Sustainability

change in SPP coordinator, other key programstaff beginning October 2001

program reduced from multi-faceted to single focus

building reflected single function (began to symbolize the state of the program)

kids kept coming but community no longer engaged

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Stage 2- the Challenge of Sustainability

reporting reflected program changes

June 2002 Health Canada inspection of Youth Centre

building program visit by IGC representatives

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Stage 2 Evaluation….findings Stage 2 ‘follow-up’ evaluation conducted July 31

- August 2, 2002 (3 days on-site)

on-site research support provided by SPP staff

still no completed suicides in community since October 1999 - attempts remain significantly decreased

only recreational components of the original SPP program still operational

responsibility for administrative and fiscal supervision of SPP program unclear

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Stage 2 Evaluation….findings funding obstacles exacerbating problems

recreation activities largely unstructured

youth dissatisfied with program

diminished involvement of Elders, community, police

Youth Centre building in very poor state

noticeable graffiti, mischief, vandalism in community

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Back on the Rails….

In July 2002, original program coordinator returned at request of Wapekeka Chief and Band Council to attempt to address problems with the SPP, to oversee development of a renovated youth centre and to develop a sustainability strategy

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Back on the Rails….

Sustainability strategy to include: clarification of supervisory responsibilities a review and overhaul program operations training and development of program staff development of common agency, record-keeping

protocols

Assistance is needed in developing a sustainable funding strategy

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IN SUMMARY...

Wapekeka First Nation Chief Norman Brown:

“Our success in addressing the problem of youth suicide stems from a number of initiatives; improved water and sewage, better housing, better health care, the SPP Program and finally a growing sense of optimism”

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Presenters Stanley McKay, SPP Advisor, Wapekeka

First Nation

Christine Kakegamic, Client Coordinator &Office Manager, SPP, Wapekeka First Nation

Jenny Mamakwa, Band Councilor responsible for SPP, Wapekeka First nation

Greg Brown, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice Program, Nipissing University