WARNING: This story discusses suicide.
Verna Strickland was preparing for a wedding just a week before she lost a young relative to suicide.
“[He] and his friend were up the ladder, putting up balloons and having fun as if nothing was happening in their mind,” Strickland said.
The 13-year-old boy in Strickland’s family died by suicide on July 7.
John Main, Nunavut’s health minister, said there were three suicides during a short period of time in Mittimatalik (Pond Inlet). In July, the territory’s coroner’s office said it was investigating three deaths in the community.
Strickland said the family is still hurting, but they’re managing to cope with all the support they’re receiving. But she said it was a loss that “nobody saw coming at all.”
She describes her young relative as a funny, outgoing kid, who loves hunting and was a good older brother and son.
“He was just a kid with a lot of potential,” she said.
Comfort and connection post-tragedies
According to a report tabled in the legislature last year, 458 people in Nunavut died by suicide from 2010 until March 2024 — 451 of those deaths were among Inuit.
Between 2014 and 2022, less than a third of those who died by suicide met with a mental health counsellor or professional in the 12 months prior to their death.
And in its annual 2023-2024 report, the Nunavut Representative for Children and Youth found young people, 19 and under, accounted for 23 per cent of recorded suicides in the five years leading to that report.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canada’s national Inuit organization, estimates suicide rates across Inuit Nunangat to be five to 25 times higher than the rest of Canada. In June, the Nunavut government again declared suicide a crisis in the territory.
After the suicides in July, Strickland said there was a lot of support flowing into the community, including from charity groups like the Canadian Red Cross and Rankin Inlet’s Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre.
“Pulaarvik offered not only counselling but also meaningful activities such as rock painting, healing circles, community gatherings and games. These efforts brought comfort, connection and a lot of healing,” she said.
At the legislative assembly last week, Tununiq MLA Karen Nutarak said the situation could’ve worsened if it weren’t for the interventions and resources the Health department and other organizations provided.
“A number of youth were sent out for counselling, as there were not enough resources in the community to support them all. We feared there would be more and further attempts. A number of youth were put on mental health watch,” she said.
“While I will always be thankful for the support and resources that were provided to address the recent situation in Pond Inlet, the sad fact remains that these young lives are forever lost.”
In an interview with CBC News, Main said he can’t definitively say whether the tragedies in Pond Inlet have changed the way the government approaches suicide prevention — but it has brought a new sense of urgency.
“Every consecutive tragedy serves to just underline the urgency and underline the need for action,” he said.
Backed by action
Main stressed the work towards addressing suicide rates in the territory is ongoing. That includes introducing more housing support and land programs.
He also said the RCMP has launched new efforts to educate Nunavummiut about proper storage of firearms and medication, which is one of the steps identified in the territory’s fourth suicide prevention action plan. That’s also part of a $5 million package — which would also include funding for men’s group programming — set to be introduced this week for debate at the legislative assembly.
“It can’t just be offering thoughts and prayers, it has to be backed up by action,” he said.
With Parliament back in session, Idlout said she is going to be raising her concerns to federal leaders in Ottawa.
“I will be expressing the concerns of the people starting today, and ask all the people to stand tall because Inuit are very capable, even reaching today still using our culture, our language,” she said.
“They need more support and training for counselling services using Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. Helping each other, loving each other, we will reach better times.”
During a tour of some health-care facilities in Iqaluit in late July, federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel said youth suicide rates in Nunavut is a particular concern to her, and she’s working with the territorial government to introduce new programs for youth in smaller communities.
Strickland appreciates there’s no easy solution, but she said she’s tired of trying to operate in broken systems which are disconnected from the Inuit way of life.
“I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but I am tired … I’m tired of waiting for change that never comes fast enough at all. We’re bleeding and the band aids are no longer enough,” she said.
“We’re losing our children and we’re losing our future.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, here’s where to get help:
This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you’re worried about.
