The Cowichan Tribes are calling on provincial and federal ministers to help them deal with a spate of suicides over the last few months but so far the response has been rather quiet, according to Chief Harvey Alphonse.
The health centre has had 52 suicide alert calls since January and four cases in the community ended tragically, prompting the Cowichan Tribes to declare a state of emergency.
Alphonse told reporters and community members at a press conference Monday that the people who took their own lives were acquainted with each other and that each suicide seemed to have an effect on the next.
“It’s devastating, whenever an individual is successful. It impacts not only the immediate family, but the entire community. That’s where the ripple effect seems to have taken place.”
There are varying opinions behind the increase in suicide attempts in a community where unemployment stands at 85 per cent.
“To me, there is a sense of hopelessness,” Alphonse expressed. “It seems we’re in a time, where the economy is difficult. There’s high unemployment and many of the inherent rights are being eroded. For example, our hunting rights, our fishing rights.”
An elder and Cowichan Tribes’ councillor, Arvid Charlie, believes the sense of hopelessness stems from over a century of losing their language and culture.
“For some, it was beaten out of them and along with it, went the teachings,” he explained. “We need resources to bring back our native language and along with that will come the teachings, which includes living, living life to the fullest.”
The Cowichan Tribes announced that they are developing a strategic plan called "Embracing life at Cowichan Tribes”, calling for more resources from B.C. ministries of Health and Aboriginal Relations, as well as the federal Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. As of Monday morning, Alphonse said he has not had a direct response from any of the ministers.
The acting director of the Ts’ewultun Health Centre, Jennifer Jones, said the nine counselors at the centre are at risk of burning out. She said they need at least two or three more to provide sufficient counseling, including sessions specifically for youth, drug and alcohol addiction and general mental health issues.
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