OUR delivery to CROSS LAKE youth in crisis has started— Ladies Who Lunch (@LWLOttawa) April 12, 2016
THIS IS HAPPENING ----> #MOTHERLOVE is en route@HeraMission pic.twitter.com/z483skB7jZ
The beautiful thing is people are reaching out.
PEOPLE DO CARE! HELP IS ON THE WAY! HANG ON!!!
In March, Pimicikamak Cree Nation, also known as Cross Lake, declared a state of emergency after the deaths of six people by suicide since December.
In response, a group of Ottawa business women who make up the Facebook group Ladies Who Lunch put out the call for donations. The group's founder, Catherine Landry, launched the #MotherLove hashtag just three weeks ago, and what has happened in that time has surprised even the veteran volunteer coordinator.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/donated-instruments-sporting-goods-ottawa-pimicikamak-1.3532149
“I started (#motherlove) because I wanted to make a change,” said Landry, who had plenty of support from local business leaders, including Ottawa injury lawyer Brenda Hollingsworth. “I was just tired of seeing talk but no action was being taken, so I put it out there.”
When she asked, Landry learned the youth in the north had five specific requests.
“One was prayer, two was musical instruments, three was sports equipment, four was messages of support and hope and five was ‘things to keep us busy,'” said Landry, who called the project #motherlove “because it’s the only thing that can heal a broken kid.
“You don’t need to be a mom to do this, you just have to have a really good heart and you’ve just got to put it out there … the #motherlove tag is really strong. Anybody can be #motherlove.”
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/messages-of-hope-business-group-sends-donated-items-letters-to-cross-lake-and-attawapiskat
Dr. Bert Lauwers spent seven years at the
Office of the Chief Coroner in Ontario. In 2012, he published a paper
that extensively reviewed suicide in children ages 10-19 at the First
Nation in Northern Ontario. His research sheds valuable light on what
some are calling a suicide pandemic in Indigenous communities across
Canada. Dr. Lauwers is now the Vice President of Medical at Ross Memorial Hospital.
http://www.contextwithlornadueck.com/blog/the-suicide-pandemic-in-indigenous-communities-across-canada?utm_source&utm_medium&utm_campaign
Amy Hookimaw, 13, says youth in Attawapiskat need to know people care about them.
(Facebook/Photo)
She also said the community sees a lot of bullying.
“There is big bullying going on in town,” said Mattinas, who is a single mother of eight children
“My heart is aching and broken due to the fact that we are continuing to lose young people to suicide,” wrote Solomon in the letter dated March 8. “Our communities continue to do their best with existing available resources and efforts to reduce our unpredictable suicide pandemic, but we are struggling with and need intervention and support from Ontario and Canada. I am sure that you notice that the suicide disease is reaching unprecedented levels…this is a national pandemic and we need immediate action from all levels of government.
Youth's healing walk for #suicide awareness reached Attawapiskat. pic.twitter.com/TJRHxMPGfT— jackie hookimaw (@muskegesko) April 9, 2016
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| A group of walkers from Attawapiskat, Kashechewan and Fort Albany First Nation went on a healing walk last week in response to the suicide crisis gripping their communities. Screen grab from video by Jackie Hookimaw. |
Our youth from the coastal communities entering Attawapiskat as they cross Attawapiskat river. #suicide #healing pic.twitter.com/cWhyo0Wod0— jackie hookimaw (@muskegesko) April 8, 2016
https://www.buzzfeed.com/emmaloop/young-people-in-attawapiskat-are-taking-action#.edDXjWDEj
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| Rebecca-lynn Hookimaw / Via Facebook |
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| Rebecca-lynn Hookimaw / Via Facebook |
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| Rebecca-lynn Hookimaw / Via Facebook |
From Anne Laalo
Just had a chat with the Economic Development Officer of the Attawapiskat First Nation; who also happens to be the Manager of the Attawapiskat Development Corporation in charge of all telecommunication for the Nation.
I asked him how I and all of those involved in the #motherloveattawapiskat project could help his community both in the short term and in the long term. He was so grateful for my call.
He said that in the short term, anything to help keep the kids and teenagers keep busy before and after school would be great. He listed items like:
-Baseball bats, gloves and balls
-All types of balls and pumps to keep them inflated
-Skates
-Bikes
-Needlework supplies including beads
-Boardgames
-All types of school supplies
-Funding to setup after school programs, outdoor programs and healing circles
As for the long term, he asked that we keep sending our parliamentarians letters urging them to work with them in finding a sustainable longterm plan for their community.
Since he is the man in charge of telecommunications, he asked if it was okay to put ad on television tonight about my call and #motherlove; I said absolutely!
We will keep in touch and he very much looks forward to receiving Kindness Cards and Letters. He promises to distribute them first in the schools and then to the population at large.
Please send cards and letters to:
Attawapiskat First Nation, Attn: Mr Kebokee, Box 248, Attawapiskat, ON. P0L1A0
If you wish to send a letter to our parliamentarians, below are a few good contacts and addresses. Otherwise please refer to List of Parliamentarians at: http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members
Charlie Angus, NDP MP Timmins-James Bay
Constituency Office Address:
202-60 Wilson Avenue, Timmins Ontario P4N 2S7
Tel: 705-268-6464, Fax: 705-268-6460
The Honourable Jane Philpott - Minister of Health Canada
Constituency Office Address:
6060 Main Street, Stouffville, Ontario, L4A 1B8
Telephone: 905-640-1125 Fax: 905-640-1184C
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development
Constituency Office:
650 Yonge Street, Suite 103, Toronto, Ontario, M4T 2A2
Telephone: 416-952-3990, Fax: 416-952-3995
My cards have been dropped off to be taken to Attawapiskat tomorrow. Safe travels!
Each card has a little crochet heart inside the envelope with it for the recipients to have some love with them when they need it.
The inspiration for this entire project came from the love that Creegirl Kicknosway has for her son THELAND .The bond they have and the love they share = #MOTHERLOVE
Thank you both for everything.
RIP Sheridan - I send love and light to everyone who loved her. I am so sorry she hurt so badly and felt so lost. Shame on Canada for failing her. Let's not fail anymore beautiful souls.
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| Sheridan Hookimaw, 13, was found dead outdoors in October. Her death was determined to be a suicide. Family |
I gave away many of my Peace Prayer Flags but will send some soon with cards. Until then here is a a virtual peace prayer flag. http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2015/11/have-you-heard-of-peace-prayer-flag.html
LOVE AND LIGHT! HUGS!
HUGS FROM Kitsilano, VANCOUVER BC.
YOU ARE LOVED!! WE CARE! REALLY!
And you know whats weird. I forgot I posted this post back in 2011. I hope it helps some of you.
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2011/11/suicide-taboo-subject.html
and here another that might help.
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2012/10/vigilantism-suicide-message-of-hope.html
And I don't know if this will help, but this always helps center me when I am lost.
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