Charlie Angus calls for permanent solution to address Attawapiskat suicide crisis
It's been a month since a suicide crisis in Attawapiskat was declared. The community has yet to receive permanent mental health workers to manage the crisis.
Recently, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett endorsed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. But amid applause, there was criticism of the government for failing to come up with a permanent solution to the wave of suicide attempts by young people in the community of Attawapiskat.
Charlie Angus has been a vocal advocate for Attawapiskat and has deep concerns that there are no permanent health- care workers in place to helping manage what was declared a state of emergency.
The MP for the Timmins-James Bay riding (which includes Attawapiskat) suggests the government look into providing a long-term suicide prevention strategy that would serve as a model to help other communities beyond Attawapiskat — creating real permanent change.
This segment was produced by The Current's Sujata Berry.