Pangnirtung pleads with Nunavut gov't, RCMP to step in amid suicide, violence 'crisis'

After issuing a plea for "urgent financial support" amid a crisis involving increasing rates of violence and suicide, representatives from the Nunavut government and RCMP will attend Pangnirtung's next council meeting.

The situationhas been described as a "crisis," with a nearly 50 per cent increase in calls to RCMPbetween 2015 and 2017, according to RCMP statistics gathered by hamlet officials.

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"Things recently have become more desperate," said council member Marcus Wilcke."All our existing services there are stretched to the limit."

In February alone, there were 12 suicide attempts among the community's young people, says Wilcke. The population of Pangnirtung is about 1,400.

There was also an increase in calls to poison control in February and March, which the letter says reflects a "large number of suicide attempts."

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Emergency shelter needed

Last month, the mayor and council sent afour-page letter to the ministers of family services and homelessness, suicide prevention, justice and the housing corporation asking for funding to support an emergency shelter.

The letter says violent events inPangnirtungare now happening every day.

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The council is also seekingfunding forvictim support,mental health and addictions services, as well ascrisis counselling.

"This will be an initial step to help us deal with the crisis. In the long term we will really need to look at getting a healing facility in the community, getting ongoing support service in the community, of course address housing issues and many others," said Wilcke.

The hamlet's senior administrative officer says the government confirmed Monday it will send representatives fromthe departments of Health and Family Services who will attend a council meetingin two weeks. A representative from theRCMPwill also be present.

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