Onigaming First Nation suicides prompt state of emergency

OnigamingFirst Nation in northwestern Ontario has declared a state of emergencyfollowing the community's fourth suicide in a year.

Treaty #3 Grand Chief Warren White saidthe community is incrisis and has reached a breaking point.

About 450 people live in Onigaming, located approximately 400 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay.

A joint statement from the community and Grand Council Treaty #3 saidthey are asking for help from a variety of social service agenciesand from all levels of government.

It saidthe community wants to develop a long-term healing strategy, but needs more resources now to deal with the current crisis.

"Young people are taking their lives and this is unacceptable," the release stated.

"As a nation our citizens are getting frustrated and concerned for our young people ... The demographicsof Treaty #3 communities is a high proportion of children and youth under the age of 25 years, with disproportionately high rates of post traumatic stress disorder, intergenerationaltrauma and poverty contributing to the addictions, violence and mental health issues affecting our communities."

Funeral services were held Fridayfor the latest suicide victim.

Onigaming Chief Kathy Kishiqueb was not available for further comment on Friday.