Inuit leaders applaud funding commitment for Indigenous mental health

Nunavut's associate deputy minister for quality of life says she's encouraged by the federalgovernment's pledge to put nearly $70 million over three years toward helping solve the health and suicide crises among Indigenous people.

"What I understand from that is we're being heard in Ottawa, that some of our needs, Inuit-specific andNunavut-specificneeds, are being recognized by Canada," said KarenKabloona, who co-ordinates the Nunavut government's efforts on suicide prevention.

• 'Urgent action is needed': PM Trudeau pledges $70M over 3 years to address Indigenous mental health

"So we look forward to working with Canada on identifying how we'll make that work here."

David Lawson, president of theEmbrace Life Council, said he is also pleased with the announcement, but noted one of the commitments is for a 24-hour "culturally sensitive" crisis response line, when Nunavut already has theKamatsiaqtut Help Line.

He hopes the existing help line can tap into the funds available.

"They seek funding on a year-to-year basis and if we can tie this into federal funding that's provided every year, it would make it easier for the help line to continue," he said.

Natan Obed, president ofInuit Tapiriit Kanatami, said the federal government'slevel of responsiveness is unprecedented.

"The idea of mental wellness teams and targeting areas that need counsellors or need specific services where there is a crisis, this shows a responsiveness that we haven't seen," he said.

Obed said his organization isin talks with Canada's Healthand IndigenousAffairs ministers to make sure there's an Inuit-specific discussion about mental wellness and suicide prevention funding. He's hopeful that by the time ITKreleases itsNational Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy on July 27there will be an Inuit-specific mental wellness and suicide prevention announcement.