[News] Idle No More, Black Lives Matter protesters demand action on Attawapiskat suicide crisis in Canada

[Anti-Imperialist News]

*http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/protesters-occupy-indigenous-northern-affairs-office-1.3533662?cmp=rss* 



  Idle No More, Black Lives Matter protesters demand action on
  Attawapiskat suicide crisis


  "We're prepared to stay as long as it takes": Protesters occupy
  Indigenous and Northern Affairs office

By Chantal Da Silva, CBC News 
<http://www.cbc.ca/news/cbc-news-online-news-staff-list-1.1294364> 
Posted: Apr 13, 2016

Protesters are demanding that the federal government take immediate 
action to address the recent spate of suicide attempts in Attawapiskat 
First Nation in northern Ontario.

As many as 20 members of Idle No More and Black Lives Matter have been 
occupying the Toronto office of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada 
(INAC) since mid-morning, demanding that the federal government take 
action following the suicide crisis.

  * *Attawapiskat declares state of emergency over spate of suicide
    attempts*
    <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/attawapiskat-suicide-first-nations-emergency-1.3528747>
  * *​**Desperation in Attawapiskat, where First Nation leaders fear for
    the young*
    <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/attawapiskat-suicide-emergency-going-forward-1.3531531>
  * *Attawapiskat suicide crisis: MPs hold emergency debate over suicide
    attempts*
    <http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/attawapiskat-suicide-crisis-emergency-debate-1.3531829>

Toronto police who arrived at the Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue 
E. location after 10:45 a.m. ET Wednesday say protesters removed a 
Canadian flag from the office, but that the protest has been non-violent.

Protesters started the occupation with a die-in on the floor of the 
office, before holding a ceremony, where they burned sweetgrass and sage.

They say they are standing in solidarity with 
the Attawapiskat community, which declared a state of emergency 
Saturday following reports of 11 suicide attempts in one day alone last 
weekend. There are also reports of more than 100 suicide attempts and at 
least one death since September in the remote community of nearly 2,000 
people.


    Immediate and long-term help

Protesters say they will refuse to leave the premises until INAC 
officials promise more action to address the crisis.

"We're asking for immediate help and long-term help," protest organizer 
Sigrid Kneve told CBC Toronto over the phone.

Kneve said a representative from INAC has come out and spoken with 
protesters, telling them that INAC is "doing all they can" to address 
the situation.

"It's the same old, same old," Kneve said.

She said protesters soon will decide on how long they plan to remain 
inside the building.

A spokesperson for the department of Indigenous Affairs said in a 
statement Wednesday that since the past weekend, officials have been 
working with the First Nation community and members of provincial 
government to "provide mental health and community supports 
to Attawapiskat and the individuals and families in need."

"It is important to address the immediate crisis," Valerie Hache wrote.

"We are working to put in place medium and long-term supports including 
addressing housing needs, ending boil water advisories, adequately 
supporting education, and ensuring child and family services are 
reformed and properly funded."

Officials from Health Canada said on Tuesday afternoon that 18 health 
workers, mental-health workers and police were being dispatched to 
support the Attawapiskat community.

"Our government wants to assure First Nations that we are personally and 
directly engaged in the recent states of emergencies that have been 
declared," reads a statement by Health Minister Jane Philpott.


    Time for more action

Protesters say it is not enough. They want to see the federal government 
taking more immediate action to address the needs of the community.

"We would like to hear that they are doing more than just sending social 
workers after the fact. There are so many issues at stake," protester 
Carrie Lester told CBC Toronto by phone.

"We're prepared to stay as long as it takes," Lester said. "Once we have 
got that determination ... then, we are fine to go."

The Attawapiskat First Nation declared a state of emergency Saturday 
following reports of 11 suicide attempts in one day alone last weekend. 
There are also reports of more than 100 suicide attempts and at least 
one death since September. ((CBC))


    MPs hold emergency debate

MPs debated for more than five hours 
<http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/attawapiskat-suicide-crisis-emergency-debate-1.3531829> 
Tuesday about how the suicide crisis and other public health emergencies 
facing First Nations communities across the country should be addressed.

Many communities are without proper health services, adequate housing 
and in some cases, access to clean water.

A number of other First Nations communities have declared public health 
emergencies this year.

At least four aboriginal leaders are scheduled to appear before the 
Commons indigenous affairs committee on Thursday to discuss the 
health crises facing their communities.


-- 
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