Gordon Peters
Dear editor:
This is to whoever wants to listen and help:
Pikangikum First Nation has, with a period of 44 days, lost five youth to suicide. These involved four females aged 15, 16, 17, and 19 and one male aged 26.
The first occurrence was on July 15, the second on Aug. 4, the third on Aug. 15, the fourth on Aug. 21, and the fifth on Aug. 28.
As a member of Pikangikum First Nation, I feel obligated in letting Canada and the international community know about these tragedies. I feel strongly that no one cares and maybe I’m being ignored by thinking this way.
The Government of Canada, national and regional First Nation leadership, and the Canadian public have to know what is happening in Pikangikum. We cannot live alone within the boundaries of our reservation, and thinking that this is the way life is.
This is not normal!
I have not seen or heard any word or movement from any of our national and regional elected officials offering any condolences, or offering any sort of assistance to Pikangikum and to those families directly affected.
Recently, a comprehensive document/report was completed by the Office of the Chief Coroner, entitled “The Office of the Chief Coroner’s Death Review of Youth Suicides at the Pikangikum First Nation, 2006-2008.” It recommended to all levels of government, which includes Canada, to proceed with the construction of major capital projects, water and sewer, gridline, new school, and new housing.
For your information, all 400+ community homes have no piped water and sewer systems. Our 700+ students go to school in temporary portables that were constructed after the main school was destroyed by fire several years ago.
The housing shortage continues to grow each year. Pikangikum immediately needs 200+ housing units to meet the demand.
I pray that these recommendations are adopted and not be shelved as so many in the past have been.
For your information, all government buildings and residences enjoy the comforts of just turning on the tap for water and flushing its toilets while us community members have to get our water from the four out of eight water points situated throughout the community (the other four are not operational).
People still get water directly from the lake as they have no means of getting water as there is no delivery service of potable water.
No indoor sewer in any of the homes. And the list goes on.
In closing, I call on the Canadian public to help Pikangikum to get the attention of those in authority to wake up and take notice.
Meegwetch-Thank you,
Gordon Peters
Member of Pikangikum FN
