1. 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 2 nd, 2002

2. 2 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

3. 3 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

4. 4 B.C. Alta Sask Man Ont Que Nunavut Yk NWT Atlantic Provinces (NB, NS, PEI and Nfld/Lab)) 16.5 13.6 17.0 14.9 21.6 9.0 3.8 2.5 1.2 REGISTERED INDIAN POPULATION, CANADA, 2001 (* percent figures: N = 622,901)

5. 5 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

6. 6 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

7. 7 Ontario Treaty Areas 9 5 3 A B C A = Robinson-Superior B = Robinson-Huron C = Pre-Confederation

8. 8 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

9. 9 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

10. 10 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

11. 11 “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

12. 12 “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”

13. 13 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

14. 14 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 community centre in 2002

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16. 16 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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18. 18 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

19. 19 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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21. 21 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

22. 22 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

23. 23 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 support for the SPP program Stage 1 Evaluation….findings

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25. 25 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

26. 26 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

27. 27 Need for: flexible, needs-driven funding envelope plan for sustainability Stage 1 Evaluation….needs

28. 28 Stage 2- the Challenge of Sustainability change in SPP coordinator, other key program staff 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

29. 29 Stage 2- the Challenge of Sustainability reporting reflected program changes June 2002 Health Canada inspection of Youth Centre building program visit by IGC representatives

30. 30 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

31. 31 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

32. 32 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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34. 34 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

35. 35 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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37. 37 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