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Canada: First Nations Community Declares Emergency over Suicide Attempts

HeadlineApr 12, 2016

In Canada, a small First Nations community has declared a state of emergency after 11 people attempted suicide in a single day. The Attawapiskat First Nation in Ontario saw 28 suicide attempts last month within a population of 2,000 people, and 11 attempts on Saturday alone. Canadian First Nations people suffer from higher levels of poverty, addiction and incarceration. Local Parliament member Charlie Angus said indigenous communities need aid.

Charlie Angus: “If these were non-aboriginal children, all the resources would be in their schools. When they’re aboriginal children, well, hey, you can take a number and stand in line. And meanwhile, kids are dying every day.”

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