People in Nunavut walk, speak out on suicide prevention
Gatherings held in Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit; legislature opens with moment of silence on Embrace Life Day
Residents walk in Rankin Inlet during an Embrace Life Day gathering in the hamlet Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Caroline Gibbons)
Nunavut’s legislative assembly opened Wednesday with a moment of silence, as Speaker Tony Akoak called on MLAs to quietly reflect on the need for people to work together to prevent suicide.
“We all know that this very important subject hits our lives one time or another,” said Akoak.
“We have all experienced that, and we will continue to strive and work on suicide prevention for all Nunavummiut.”
Embrace Life Council executive director Cecile Guerin, left, and former council board member Jonah Oolayou carry the banner at the head of the walk on suicide prevention day in Iqaluit on Wednesday. (Photo by Daron Letts)
Sept. 10 is known in Nunavut as Embrace Life Day and internationally as World Suicide Prevention Day.
The worldwide event was declared by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in 2004, with sponsorship from the World Health Organization.
Close to 50 Iqalummiut gathered downtown Wednesday afternoon for a community walk to mark Embrace Life Day, some carrying a banner or signs. In Rankin Inlet, residents took part in an Embrace Life walk on Wednesday morning followed by coffee served outside the hamlet office.
Each year, events are organized in those communities by the Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit Embrace Life Council. The organization scheduled a celebration for its 20th anniversary Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit, including a feast and games for the public.
In June, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. reaffirmed a suicide crisis declaration in the territory that was originally made by the Government of Nunavut one decade ago.
Nunavut has the highest rates of suicide and self-harm among Canada’s territories and provinces, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
The association estimates that suicide rates in Inuit Nunangat are five to 25 times higher than in the rest of Canada, with youth disproportionately impacted.
A report tabled in the Nunavut legislature last year indicated 451 Inuit died by suicide from 2010 until early in 2024.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available.
Kamatsiaqtut Help Line (Nunavut-based, Inuktitut available)
- Iqaluit: 867-979-3333.
- Toll-free: 1-800-265-3333.
The First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Helpline
- 1-855-242-3310 or chat online at hopeforwellness.ca.
Healing by Talking Program (virtual counselling for Inuit)
- Toll-free 1-888-648-0070.
- Email: healing@gov.nu.ca.
- Canadian Suicide Crisis Help Line:
- Call or text on 988 to be directed to a helpline to best suit your needs.
Kids Help Phone
- Call 1-800-668-6868.
- Live chat available at kidshelpphone.ca.
- Text ‘CONNECT’ to 686868 to message with a trained volunteer.
Embrace Life Council:
Visit www.inuusiq.com for more information, support, and tips.
I’m he been seeing suicide prevention walks from Nunavut communities, yet nothing was being done in Sanikiluaq, no walk at all when we have lost people from suicide.
That stop hating, ignore your relatives and help them. Even John main who almost cry during the speech he make is the one needed to speak to. Not in community. They are working too, they say they’ll provide fundings for the people of Nunavut.
It is sad that pur youths are being taken advantage of. Where they could of work hard find jobs, instead all over the north we are being taken advantage of. Too much arrested social workers. We got to go into those levels somehow.