Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Nov 12/01) - The message is getting out -- suicide is not the solution for Nunavummiut.

Representatives of nearly a dozen government departments and social agencies have been meeting for nine months to drive that message home, says Caroline Anawak, co-chair of the Interdepartmental Suicide Prevention Group.

"There's a sense now that it's not one department's problem, that it's not just government's problem. It's everyone's problem," says Anawak.

Six government departments, in conjunction with the Nunavut Social Development Council, RCMP, and the Nunavut Federation of Teachers are holding regular meetings to plan suicide prevention strategies.

Since the group began meeting last March, Nunavummiut have been inundated by a public awareness campaign.

"The elders are very specific about it," says Anawak. "Endurance, resilience, pat-ience ... those are the traits that are associated with Inuit survival."

The task force has printed posters, designed newspaper advertisements and prepared television and radio spots. All carry the "Inuit way" message.

The group had a coming-out party of sorts in Newfoundland last month during the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention's annual conference.

Nunavut boasted the second-largest delegation at the conference -- 24 people from all regions of the territory made the trip.

John Vander Velde, Nunavut's Children First Secretariat co-ordinator, said he was "very impressed" by the calibre of the group.

Popular actor and musician Tom Jackson, who plays Peter Kenidi on the CBC television series North of 60, made a special presentation at the conference.

Suicide prevention has become an important cause for Jackson. Fellow North of 60 castmember Mervin Good Eagle committed suicide in 1996.

Iqaluit will host CASP's annual conference in 2003.