Sioux Lookout, ON: As an immediate response to the persistent crisis in mental health and substance use issues, SLFNHA is announcing the release of Anishininiiwug Ajimoowin Animisewiinan: Health Status Report.
Using first-person stories, backed by data and research, the report emphasizes the unresolved intergenerational trauma, as well as socioeconomic factors including geographical remoteness, that have contributed to an environment where anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and suicide, and addiction have a deep hold on the communities of Kiiwetinoong.
This Report also shows that mental health and substance use issues have worsened with time and that there has been an inadequate response from the provincial and federal governments of Canada from the numerous states of emergency called in recent decades:
- Office of the Chief Coroner – The average unnatural death rate for the Sioux Lookout area First Nations communities is 3.2 times higher compared to the provincial average rate. Furthermore, the rate of suicide by hanging in the Sioux Lookout area First Nations is an alarming 15 times higher compared to the Canadian resident rate.
- Suicide by asphyxia accounted for 38% of all unnatural deaths. But, alarmingly suicide by asphyxia accounted for 70.5% of unnatural deaths among 10-14 year olds and 76.2% 15-19 year olds. – Anishininiiwug Ajimoowin Animisewiinan: Health Status Report
“Although difficult, the information shared in this report is critical for the sake of enhancing the regional knowledge base about mental health and substance use. First Nations across the country are disproportionally affected by states of poor mental health and addiction. Colonial structures and practices have threatened the legacy of our Indigenous traditions and languages and have directly jeopardized family stability through the removal of children from families, loss of parenting skills, and intergenerational trauma. Through the personal stories shared in the report, we learn how these losses have grave impact upon the people in SLFNHA-served communities. Every data point is a community member” – Janet Gordon, Chief Operating Officer, SLFNHA
SLFNHA is grateful for the courage and resilience of the community members who shared their own deep-rooted trauma through their stories in this report. The stories and data outlined in the report are designed to be used as a tool and resource for First Nations to strengthen advocacy and lobbying efforts and to lead to the creation of First Nations defined policies that are First Nations-centred and evidence-based.
In September 2023, Sioux Lookout area First Nations Chiefs-in-Assembly declared a public health emergency and social crisis to address the urgent issues facing Sioux Lookout area First Nations communities.
Anishininiiwug Ajimoowin Animisewiinan is an Oji-Cree phrase that has two translations. The literal translation is “First Nations’ Stories of Hardships”, or “Hard Things in Life”. The other translation is the one set within the cultural context of this report, “Stories About the Bad State We’re In”.
