I am here today with a chip on my shoulder while I write this petition to make a change. This crisis raging through Canada isn't only affecting my family and friends now, but across Canada high and low. Indigenous community’s struggle to find support and the youth is left to rot away, the same as their ancestors years ago. The mental health crisis that is affecting the indigenous youth is tanking the population. Help is needed in these communities before our culture is just history.

A report stating that the Inuit's suicide rates were five to twenty-five times higher than the Canadian average with the article being written as early as 2021 according to the Canadian Centre on substance use and addiction. You can also read more about the Substance abuse epidemic that is tearing families and communities apart. If we do not try and make a change now with the path, we are headed on not only communities will die off, but centuries of cultural practice is going to die off too.

 It is straightforward evidence that there needs to be more help sent to these northern communities. I investigated Kugluktuk, Nunavut, a community, and The Grizzlies, a movie that was made there. “THE GRIZZLIES is based on the inspiring true story of the youth of Kugluktuk, Nunavut - who were transformed by the power of sport, family, tradition, and community, and in turn, transformed their town with the highest suicide rate in all of North America into a model of hope and youth-led resilience.” The Grizzlies website had to say about the film but anyone who watched this movie would say the same thing.   

There needs to be more done not only to help our country's youth but also our country's heritage. We need a specific culturally based help group made up to go to these communities. The ones that are struggling and work with the youth and help them through all addictions and any type of abuse they might be faced with. We must empower these communities to want to help the youth and overcome the mental health crisis raging across Canada.  

How can you help

-Reach out to friends or family members and be able to just listen to whatever they have to  say with no judgement.
-Seek professional help like a therapist, someone who will listen and not judge you about anything and help you overcome challenges you may be facing.
-Crisis help lines There are many local helplines for your area but also a -national crisis help line which you can call whenever you need help.
-Text or call 9-8-8 to help and talk to you 24 hours 7 days a week whenever you need.

We must take action now, the youth of our country is struggling with mental illness. We can't just sit back and watch our friends, family, kids, brothers, sisters, and cousins just kill themselves because there is no one there when they struggle the most . no one there cause they were all alone no one to watch them. Nobody was there to stop them before it is too late.