"The number of suicides in Shamattawa First Nation has pushed the community into a state of emergency."

That was the message from Chief William Miles, who traveled to Winnipeg on Friday to bring some grim news: the Manitoba reserve has suffered three suicides in just nine days. "I think the community is in a state of shock," he said.

In the days before the first suicide CBC TV sent a journalist to the community to document the community's troubles. What she found was alcohol and solvent abuse among adults and children. An 11-year-old was taped sniffing a gasoline-soaked rag.

Just over a week later three people had committed suicide: an 18-year-old man, a 22-year-old man and a 36-year-old mother of six.

"It's critical to have three suicides in a short time," said Peter Rogers of Health Canada. "The danger here is it will have a tendency to cluster and others will emulate the same actions as those who've committed suicide, and there's a real concern."

Mental health specialists were dispatched, a full response team is flying up for the day next Wednesday. But northern Manitoba chiefs who helped take Shamattawa's case public are worried that the government's response will fall far short.

"There has to be something continuously done instead of going for one day and meeting with the chief and council. That doesn't do anybody any good especially a community like this," said Northern Manitoba Grand Chief Francis Flett.

Shamattawa has had serious addiction problems for decades. The reserve made national news in 1986 and 1992.

But the band has never had enough money for police, addiction treatment, or mental health services. The chief says Shamattawa has received little help to create jobs.

What the people of Shamattawa want is for Canadians to care and for the government to help them help themselves.