Inuit embracing life all over the Arctic

The last year has seen many Inuit taking control of their lives and encouraging others to celebrate theirs.

Tomorrow, Sept. 10, 2005, is World Suicide Prevention Day. It is a day to think of those who have passed, and to remember the lives they lived.

But more importantly, it is a day to engage in dialogue, to speak to our families, and to embrace our lives. And it is a day to remind ourselves that we should celebrate life all year round.

Groups across the Arctic have been doing just that. Taking a cue from the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Walk from B.C. to Ottawa, 115 people held a 3-day camp and a Walk for Life in Baker Lake, Nunavut. One participant from Arviat used his bags as a metaphor for the weight of life. He carried the heavy bags to and from the camp, and by making it both ways showed us that perseverance and dedication can get you through even the toughest challenges.

Another tough challenge that six young Inuit set out on, to celebrate their lives, was beginning a multi-year project to visit Nunavik (Northern Quebec) coastal communities by qajaq. The trek, a grueling test of physical and mental strength, nearly forced the group to admit defeat and give up.

But just as they’ve embraced and enjoyed the challenges of life, they learned to embrace and enjoy the challenges of their trying journey.

Sara Matoo has been working for years in Coral Harbour, Nunavut, on suicide prevention. She recently organized a “Youth Celebration Camp” and hike, with the Coral Harbour Youth Celebration Committee. Sara’s commitment to showing youth, including her five children, that their lives should be embraced and celebrated is admirable.

Sara’s positive story was recently featured in Nunatsiaq News. But unfortunately, coverage in the media has tended toward the grim and sensational.

The ITK board of directors, and Inuit across Canada, call on the media to focus on the positive aspects of embracing and celebrating life. By showing our children that life is worth enjoying, they will come to their own conclusions about life being worth living.

ITK also calls on the federal government to speed the release of $65 million for the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy, as they committed to in September of 2004. Our Inuit youth and Inuit community leaders, through grassroots movements, are showing that they care about the future of our children, and it’s long past time for the Government of Canada to join our celebration of life.

Mark Saturday, Sept. 10th by spending time with those you love and care about. Talk to them, show them you are there for them, but above all, listen to them. We all have a role to play in preventing suicide.

Board of Directors, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami:
Jose Kusugak, President
Pita Aatami
William Anderson III
Nellie Cournoyea
Paul Kaludjak
Mary Palliser
Duane Smith
Jason Tologanak