Suicides to continue

Page 5

Dear Editor:

For years now there has been a suicide epidemic devastating our northern communities. The last estimate of successful suicides is well over 200. I believe without proper support or resources, suicides will continue and this will be utterly shameful for Canadians as a whole.

I believe this issue has everything to do with an underlying worldview and treatment of people who are different. It's my opinion First Nations in this country are dealing with the intergenerational impacts of residential schools, continued oppressive acts, such as racism and incarceration, and the present-day colonialism policy as propagated by anti-Aboriginal groups like the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, who insist our people have it easy.

This ties in to my next concern-the closing down of a nationally funded Aboriginal-operated youth treatment centre in this community. Is this wise to close the doors of this centre? I believe one issue of the centre's closure has to do with the "Not in my back yard approach" society is known for in dealing with marginalized and oppressed people.

The last issue has to do with our land. As Canada's first people, why does our First Nation-operated agencies and organizations have to purchase land for use and pay taxes on land we already own? In addition, some of our sacred ancestral lands and lodges had to be moved or dismantled to accommodate society interests.

In closing, if we're talking about nation building and developing trust with Aboriginal people, first assist in building our youth treatment centre. Secondly, share the land with the original inhabitants of Canada. Third, provide our northern First Nations with resources to deal with the serious socio-economic situation.

John Fox,

Thunder Bay, Ont.