Iqaluit (Mar 10/03) - During eight deadly days, five young people took their own lives. Between Feb. 27 and March 6, one female and four males committed suicide.

Rankin Inlet North MLA Jack Anawak called five suicides in four communities during an eight-day span "shocking." His statement in the Nunavut legislative assembly touched off an emotional debate March 5. - Chris Puglia/NNSL photo Nunavut suicide rate highest in country 2000 - 26 suicides (69% male) 2001 - 29 suicides (89% male) 2002 - 24 suicides (91% male) 2003 -- 7 suicides (6 males/1 female) to date Inuit account for 97 per cent of all suicides in Nunavut.

A 20-year-old female killed herself in Iglulik Feb. 27, followed by a 23-year-old man in Panniqtuuq on Feb. 28.

That same day, a 19-year-old died in Cape Dorset, where, on March 2, a 13-year-old took his own life. The final suicide, a 28-year-old man, came March 6 in Pond Inlet.

The two deaths hit Cape Dorset particularly hard, said Keith Wilson, principal of Peter Pitseolak School.

"We actually had six people removed from the community because they had attempted and failed or were talking about suicide," he said. "We thought that if there was one more suicide in our community, things might get out of control."

For Nunavut coroner Tim Neily, the cluster of deaths is a cry for help.

"You almost feel like going out onto the street corner and saying, 'Come on people, wake up'," said Neily. "There's something going on and I just don't know what it is. I'm not a suicide expert. I'm just called in after the fact.

"Obviously there's a huge problem here."

The call for help reached the top level of Nunavut's government as Rankin Inlet North MLA Jack Anawak touched off an emotional debate about suicide in the legislature on March 5.

"That's shocking," said Anawak of the five deaths.

"These individuals have immediate family members and on behalf of these people we have to work harder. We're not going to make it go away by ignoring the issue of suicide we have to work together with the people, the youth and the elders."

Health Minister Ed Picco said the number of suicides in Nunavut is unacceptable. "The number one health issue facing Nunavummiut is the issue of suicide."

Premier Paul Okalik's older brother killed himself some years ago. "It might not seem all the time that people love you, but, your sister, younger and older siblings, your mother and your father loves you dearly and have a special place in their hearts for you. I urge young people to keep that in mind," said Okalik.