Transcript THE WAPEKEKA SAFETY-NET PROJECT A presentation by the Wapekeka First Nation
THE WAPEKEKA SAFETY-NET PROJECT
A presentation by the Wapekeka First Nation & the Intergovernmental Committee on Aboriginal Youth Suicide Intergovernmental Committee on Aboriginal Youth Suicide (IGC) Quetico Centre, Atikokan, Ontario Wednesday, October 2 nd , 2002
Background
1867 - BNA Act gives Federal Government legislative authority over “Indians, and land reserved for the Indians”
1876
- Indian Act
Land management Definition of Indian ‘status’
Goal of assimilation
1985
- ‘An Act to Amend the Indian Act’
eliminating sexual discrimination, redefining status
¾ of the original Act remains intact today
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Some related facts...
In Canada...
Aboriginal population makes up about 3.75% of Canadian population, or 1.2 million
Aboriginal birth rate is 3 times the national average and is increasing
31% of the Aboriginal population is under 15 years of age (50% under 25 years)
average age of Aboriginal population is 25.5 years
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REGISTERED INDIAN POPULATION, CANADA, 2001 ( * percent figures: N = 622,901)
Yk 1.2
NWT
2.5
Nunavut B.C.
16.5
Alta
13.6
Sask
17.0
Man
14.9
Ont
21.6
Que
9.0
Atlantic Provinces (NB, NS , PEI and Nfld/Lab))
3.8
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Some related facts...
In Canada…
infant mortality rate is more than double the rate for the rest of the country
1/3 of Aboriginal deaths are due to accidents and violence
diabetes, tuberculosis rates are escalating
disability rate is twice the national average
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Ontario First Nations
about 20% of Canada’s Aboriginal population lives in Ontario
1/3 of Ontario’s First Nation communities are located in the remote or semi-remote north
historically…
Iroquois occupied southern Ontario
Algonquin tribes (including Ojibway and Cree) occupied northern Ontario
between 1850 & 1929, five treaties were signed covering the Northern Ontario territory
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Ontario Treaty Areas
A = Robinson-Superior B = Robinson-Huron C = Pre-Confederation 9 A 3 B C
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Nishanawbe-Aski Nation
largest treaty area in Ontario is Treaty # 9, comprised of the lands of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN)
NAN territory accounts for over 1/2 of the total Ontario land mass (200,000 square miles)
50 different NAN communities; 33 are accessible only by air
approximately 28,000 population
name is based on a sacred principle-the people, the land and the relationship between them
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Key Issues
isolation
lack of economic development/employment opportunities
inadequate housing, community services, medical & dental services, education
cultural loss & disintegration which lead to…
family violence
substance abuse youth suicide
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Youth Suicide
in eight year period 1978 - 1985, there were 20 completed suicides in NAN
from 1986 to 1993 the number of suicides quadrupled to 81
in year 2000, number of youth suicides in NAN peaked at all time high of 26
health care providers have documented approximately 500 suicide attempts annually
new trend emerging - # of girls committing suicide now equals the number of boys
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“a social crisis of epidemic proportions”
Suicide…
a response to ongoing conflict, loss and grief
a coping strategy for dealing with an unending cycle of poverty and abuse
a protest against pain
a self harm behavior gone too far
a cry for recognition
an expression of hopelessness
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“From fear to safety”
NAN Youth are “calling for a shift…
from blaming to taking responsibility
from excuses for staying stuck in pain to healing
from being controlled to freedom of choice
from fear to safety”
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Safety, Community & Suicide Prevention
the need for safety is a basic human need, especially pronounced among children and young people many young people have issues of personal safety - i.e. bullying, substance abuse, sexual assault in some remote NAN communities basic safety precautions, practices and enforcement measures are not in place factors exist in the geographic, political, social, and economic environments that have made it difficult to provide physical and emotional safety for the inhabitants
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The Wapekeka First Nation Experience
451 KM north of Sioux Lookout
population 363
main language Oji-Cree
year round access by air
diesel generated electric power since 1991; new water and sewage system in 1999; new housing under construction; new community centre in 2002
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The Wapekeka First Nation Experience
major facilities include elementary school, Band office, Health Centre, small business centre, hydro plant, airport, churches
two First Nations constables
annual Survivors of Suicide (SOS) conference
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The Wapekeka First Nation Experience
youth suicide problem beginning in 1980
four suicide deaths in 1989
1991 - Survivors of Suicide (SOS) conference
from 1989 to 1999 total of 15 suicide deaths
in 1999-2000, over 40 suicide attempts; 2 suicide deaths
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Wapekeka Suicide Prevention Program - ‘SPP’
needs driven, community-based
involvement of all age groups
anchored at the Youth Centre
Youth & Elder Councils
Youth Patrol
broad range of programs: suicide risk assessment, recreation, elder support, marriage counselling, parent support, radio station, part-time employment, probation…...
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SPP Evaluations
Intergovernmental Committee on Aboriginal Youth Suicide commissioned two evaluations of the Wapekeka SPP
collaborative research strategy
questionnaires, focus groups, interviews, observation & documents analysis
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Stage 1 (Program Development) Evaluation….
findings
Stage 1 evaluation conducted in August 2001 (5 days on-site)
on-site research support provided by SPP staff
last suicide death in October, 1999
estimated 50% to 75% decline in attempts
significant decline in transfers out of community for suicide counselling and related issues
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Stage 1 Evaluation….
findings
50% decline in reported alcohol/drug problems among youth
significant decrease in reported youth crime
reported general overall improvement in physical and emotional health in community
strong community involvement in, and support for the SPP program
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Stage 1 Evaluation….
strengths
flexible, responsive design
integrated problem-solving approach
makes use of, builds on local expertise
supported by training & awareness/education
use of appropriate technology
capacity building - infrastructure, expertise
long-term vision
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Stage 1 Evaluation….
needs
Need for:
development of protocols, common-record keeping system with other community agencies
improved record-keeping and accountability process
staff training
regular program monitoring
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Stage 1 Evaluation….
needs
Need for:
flexible, needs-driven funding envelope
plan for sustainability
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Stage 2 the Challenge of Sustainability
change in SPP coordinator, other key program staff beginning October 2001
program reduced from multi-faceted to single focus
building reflected single function (began to symbolize the state of the program)
kids kept coming but community no longer engaged
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Stage 2 the Challenge of Sustainability
reporting reflected program changes
June 2002
Health Canada inspection of Youth Centre building program visit by IGC representatives
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Stage 2 Evaluation….
findings
Stage 2 ‘follow-up’ evaluation conducted July 31 - August 2, 2002 (3 days on-site)
on-site research support provided by SPP staff
still no completed suicides in community since October 1999 - attempts remain significantly decreased
only recreational components of the original SPP program still operational
responsibility for administrative and fiscal supervision of SPP program unclear
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Stage 2 Evaluation….
findings
funding obstacles exacerbating problems
recreation activities largely unstructured
youth dissatisfied with program
diminished involvement of Elders, community, police
Youth Centre building in very poor state
noticeable graffiti, mischief, vandalism in community
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Back on the Rails….
In July 2002, original program coordinator returned at request of Wapekeka Chief and Band Council to attempt to address problems with the SPP, to oversee development of a renovated youth centre and to develop a sustainability strategy
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Back on the Rails….
Sustainability strategy to include:
clarification of supervisory responsibilities a review and overhaul program operations training and development of program staff development of common agency, record-keeping protocols
Assistance is needed in developing a sustainable funding strategy
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IN SUMMARY...
Wapekeka First Nation Chief Norman Brown: “Our success in addressing the problem of youth suicide stems from a number of initiatives; improved water and sewage, better housing, better health care, the SPP Program and finally a growing sense of optimism”
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Presenters
Stanley McKay, SPP Advisor, Wapekeka First Nation
Christine Kakegamic, Client Coordinator & Office Manager, SPP, Wapekeka First Nation
Jenny Mamakwa, Band Councilor responsible for SPP, Wapekeka First nation
Greg Brown, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice Program, Nipissing University
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