Iqaluit (Sep 18/06) - As the territory marked Embrace Life day on Sept. 10, figures from the office of Nunavut's chief coroner show suicide remains a stubborn and tragic problem in Nunavut communities.

Nunavut's Department of Health and Social Services released these jelly bracelets to coincide with Embrace Life Day, Sept. 10. Nunavut's suicide rate remains the highest in Canada, seven times the national average. - Chris Windeyer/NNSL photo Embrace Life Day With suicide striking close to home far too often, the government of Nunavut proclaimed September 10 Embrace Life Day. "It is our hope that Nunavummiut will take time on this day to think about what it means to embrace your life and the lives of your loved ones," said Health and Social Services Minister Leona Aglukkaq in a statement. "We need to remember that life is full of limitless possibilities if we embrace life every day." September 10 is already recognized as World Suicide Prevention Day to focus attention on the one million suicides that occur worldwide every year.

Nunavut suffered 24 suicides in the first nine months of 2006, the same as all 12 months of 2005. There have been six suicides in Iqaluit alone so far this year.

"It's adding up to be a dismal year," said territorial chief coroner Tim Neily.

Citizens, students and dignitaries will take to the streets today, marching from Nakasuk School to the Legislature for a ceremony. Similar events are slated for communities across the territory. It's all designed to get Nunavummiut talking about the problem, said Lori Idlout, executive director of the Embrace Life Council.

"There is still a huge stigma related to suicide," she said. "One of the things we're hoping to do is make an awareness campaign."

Communities must "take ownership" of the problem, and attack it at a local level, Idlout said.

And while Nunavut's per capita suicide rate remains seven times that of the Canadian average, some communities have managed to buck the devastating trend.

Sanikiluaq, one of the most isolated communities in Canada, has had to deal with only one suicide since division in 1999.

Isolation may actually work in the community's favour, said Doris Fraser of the Suruliingittuk Group healing centre.

"We're still a close-knit community, really traditional," she said.

The hamlet's school and recreation department play a big part in that, said Fraser, and the community gets together to socialize at the centre once a week.

The lingering problem is one familiar to social service providers everywhere.

"We need more funding," Fraser said. "That's usually the big part."

There are signs that funding may be on the way. Health and social services minister Leona Aglukkaq announced Wednesday $440,000 in new money from the National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention program.

A steering committee will have information about Nunavut's Inuusiqatsiarniq ("Having a good life") Strategy in the coming weeks.