Stephanie McDonald
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 14, 2008

NUNAVUT - A new study released by a social scientist in Iqaluit dispels the myth that Inuit societies have always had high rates of suicide.

Jack Hicks found suicide rates only jumped in men born after the 1950s, the first generation to be born into a world that was vastly different than that of their parents.

Nunavut's suicide rate is about nine times the national average. There were 222 deaths by suicide in Nunavut between April 1, 1999 and April 30, 2007, making up 40 per cent of reportable deaths to the coroner's office. In that same period, the coroner's office investigated 148 accidental deaths, 145 natural deaths, 23 homicides and 15 deaths of an undetermined cause. Source: Government of Nunavut

Hicks' study looked at rates of suicide among Inuit in Alaska, Greenland and Nunavut. In each case, suicide rates increased a generation after the process of colonization took place.

Hicks points to the damaging effects of residential school, parenting skills being taken away, a loss of control and a loss of self-esteem as factors in the increased suicide rate. For some Inuit, violence, substance abuse and ultimately suicide became a way to cope.

"Any group with that basket of problems can expect to see an increased rate of suicide," Hicks said. "The government, in hindsight, should have realized there was going to be a mental health impact."

The positive note in the study is that rates of suicide have decreased among Inuit in Nuuk, Greenland and in urban Alaska. Not coincidentally, these places have undergone the greatest amount of development in the Inuit world in the last 25 years.

The story is grimmer in Nunavut, the last of the three regions to undergo "modernization."

"Maybe what we've seen in Alaska and Greenland we'll see over time here," Hicks said. He said the role of government is critical to getting any results, especially in a place like Nunavut where the territorial government manages the health and education systems.

Hicks said the government of Nunavut has yet to employ an effective suicide prevention strategy and fund programs adequately.

"We need to look at Inuit as a unique people ... and as human beings," Hicks said.

In Cape Dorset, the Kanguit Healing Team organizes traditional activities for youth, men and women.

The team offers counselling services and a safe environment for community members to gather and learn skills.

The team led a parenting workshop in 2007 and will run one on dealing with sexual abuse in March.

Co-ordinator Wakta Pootoogoo has been working with the team of 16 for two years.

"There were youth 10 years ago that were into drugs and violence and they needed counsellors," Pootoogoo said of the reason the team was created.

Ultimately, the team wants to prevent community members from resorting to suicide. Poogootoo said the suicide rate in Cape Dorset is lower now than it was in the past.