Working together to Supporting Attawapiskat

Press Release

April 11, 2016, Moose Factory, ON: Attawapiskat First Nation has·declared a “State of Emergency” due to the attempted suicides during the past week. The alarming number of suicide attempts has escalated to a point where the few frontline workers in the community are exhausted and burning out from the pressure.

Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon says, “The staggering numbers of suicides is sad, heartbreaking and concerning. The community of Attawapiskat needs resource people on the ground to relieve the frontline workers including health workers, counsellors and police. The leadership of Attawapiskat are doing the best that they can with limited resources, under these critical circumstances. We are calling on both levels of Government to work with us and the community of Attawapiskat on a plan that is sustainable. We should all know by now that band-aid solutions don’t work.”

“I am certain and optimistic that if we come together we can work on a resolution to this dire situation. We will continue to work with all parties to develop cohesive solutions” says Grand Chief Solomon.

Deputy Grand Chief Rebecca Friday has been in the community of Attawapiskat and on the ground for the last few days and is supporting the leadership of the community and also the frontline workers.

“I am calling on people to pray for the community, the frontline workers, and the leadership and that the community will not lose anyone else to suicide”, continued Grand Chief Solomon.

If you have any questions on the contents of this press release, please contact Grand Chief Solomon at 705-658-4222 or through his email at grandchief@mushkegowuk.ca

Mushkegowuk Council is a regional organization that represents the collective interests of the Attawapiskat, Kashechewan, Fort Albany, Moose Cree, Taykwa Tagamou, Chapleau Cree and Missanabie Cree First Nations in northeastern Ontario.

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