In reality however, nothing is further from the truth, say organizers for the 2003 Iqaluit Canadian Association Suicide Prevention Conference May 15-18, 2003. Some 600 concerned Canadians from each province and territory plan to descend upon Nunavut's capital city next spring to prove just how much they do care. Iqaluit resident Tamara Mcpherson is the conference's project manager.

Allison Brewer is the media relations chair. Volunteers on 12 other committees are also involved in the planning.

Though Nunavut suffers from the highest suicide rate in the country, the conference is usually held in the South and inaccessible to most territorial residents. Both Mcpherson and Brewer stressed the need to heavily involve Nunavummiut.

More than 20 government and corporate sponsors are subsidizing airfares for Nunavummiut. The Department of Health is also hosting a suicide pre-conference with elders and youth from all communities the week before the main event. Participants will stay on for the conference at no extra cost.

"We're working hard to make sure as many people in Nunavut who want to be involved can be involved," said Brewer.

Over the course of the conference weekend, several different workshops will take place and many different speakers will give talks. Mcpherson said organizers want to ensure workshops suit participants' needs and leave Iqaluit with effective suicide prevention skills.