PIKANGIKUM: ISOLATION, TRAGEDY AND HOPE
The First Nation of Pikangikum is a “fly in” reservation of between 2,600 and 3,000 inhabitants about 330 miles north of Thunder Bay. The nearest town to the south is Red Bay with some 4,000 people, at a distance of about 60 miles. Almost all residents speak Ojibway as their first language. They have rights of customary land use beyond the reserve, and carry on hunting and fishing. Tragically, the community has become known chiefly for the number of residents, mostly young people, who have taken their own lives. In the past 20 some years close to 90 people have committed suicide. Only in the last few years has the public taken the trouble to look at the underlying causes.
Ontario Court Justice David Gibson, in a recent written judgement regarding an arrest and subsequent riot against the reserve police, drew attention to the desperate existence to which the residents of Pikangikum are subjected. He enumerated the lack of running water or sewage, the curse of gas-sniffing, and the number of people who have taken their lives, which, he wrote, has made the community known as the “suicide capital of the world.” He stated, “There are many good people here and the conditions they are living in are a national disgrace” (Globe and Mail, Mar. 7, 2017).
Located beside the river of its name, Pikangikum began as a Hudson Bay trading post. During the latter half of the twentieth century the population began to increase substantially, and now grows at about three percent annually. Residents are strongly attached to their community—the forest, lake and river, their language, culture and family. Only about two percent have left the reserve. Despite their love of the community, many experience an underlying desperation about their miserable living conditions and feel alienated from the federal government and community police.
The Band, Indigenous and Northern Affairs and private businesses have for several years been working on several important projects that will improve the residents’ lives.
The First Nation of Pikangikum is a “fly in” reservation of between 2,600 and 3,000 inhabitants about 330 miles north of Thunder Bay. The nearest town to the south is Red Bay with some 4,000 people, at a distance of about 60 miles. Almost all residents speak Ojibway as their first language. They have rights of customary land use beyond the reserve, and carry on hunting and fishing. Tragically, the community has become known chiefly for the number of residents, mostly young people, who have taken their own lives. In the past 20 some years close to 90 people have committed suicide. Only in the last few years has the public taken the trouble to look at the underlying causes.
Ontario Court Justice David Gibson, in a recent written judgement regarding an arrest and subsequent riot against the reserve police, drew attention to the desperate existence to which the residents of Pikangikum are subjected. He enumerated the lack of running water or sewage, the curse of gas-sniffing, and the number of people who have taken their lives, which, he wrote, has made the community known as the “suicide capital of the world.” He stated, “There are many good people here and the conditions they are living in are a national disgrace” (Globe and Mail, Mar. 7, 2017).
Located beside the river of its name, Pikangikum began as a Hudson Bay trading post. During the latter half of the twentieth century the population began to increase substantially, and now grows at about three percent annually. Residents are strongly attached to their community—the forest, lake and river, their language, culture and family. Only about two percent have left the reserve. Despite their love of the community, many experience an underlying desperation about their miserable living conditions and feel alienated from the federal government and community police.
- On several occasions the federal government has failed to live up to its promises for projects and reneged on its promise to inject more money into the community.
- The police in the past have acted arbitrarily. In 2012, they conducted 3,600 lock-ups and made 5,000 arrests (Maclean’s, March 30, 2012).
- Perhaps 90 percent of dwellings lack running water and sewage treatment, which threatens to contaminate the ground and river. The population’s electrical power comes from an old diesel engine which has frequent breakdowns. Lack of power prevents residents from boiling water on the electric stoves. The population has the highest rate of skin and urinary tract infections among the First Nations of northern Ontario and non-indigenous people.
- There are 450 houses, an extreme shortage of homes, and high rate of neglected home repairs. The federal government finances the building of these, and is responsible for their repair, though arguing that the province has a responsibility in this regard. Until a few years ago, Indigenous people on reserves could not obtain mortgages, which gave no encouragement to renters to undertake their own maintenance.
- High school and elementary education has suffered from frequent closures when power outages occur, and also at times when mould build up in the teachers’ quarters has forced these to be shut down. One of the principals, Kurt MacRae, told a visitor from the media that the rate of suicide goes up with the frequency of school closures. Absenteeism has been another major issue.
- High unemployment of around 75 to 90 percent and family dysfunction go together. With the forest industry gone, and high population growth, traditional occupations cannot support the population. The lack of reliable power discourages businesses from moving into the community. Social assistance is the norm. These are factors that contribute to the high number of young people who have taken their own lives.
- One finds high grocery prices and food scarcity. The population has to pay more than double the cost of food in southern Ontario and the rates of social assistance are inadequate for a healthy diet. To relieve the situation, the school operates a free breakfast and lunch program with extra snacks available. Planes bring in fresh produce twice a week, but people lack reliable refrigeration. This year residents became eligible for the full northern food cost supplement for many items. There is a long list of these foods on an online chart.
The Band, Indigenous and Northern Affairs and private businesses have for several years been working on several important projects that will improve the residents’ lives.
- One project that has been much welcomed is the new Enchokay Birchstick School, which opened in October. It combines all students from kindergarten to Grade 12 in one building, and has an enrollment of 700. The previous property was destroyed by fire in 2007, and in the intervening years the students worked in portables. The new building occupies 9,239 square metres, with capacity for 950 students. Photos show a beautiful, light interior, with lots of open space. Pupils are sitting at computers. There is a large teaching staff, most of the teachers having a paraprofessional assistant. Instruction is in both Ojibway and English. The list of assistants for the one special education teacher is a long one. One activity that a student enthusiastically mentioned, was Project Journey, a joint cultural undertaking led by the OPP and residents, that includes canoeing, drumming and hunting. There is busing of students. It seems likely that the secondary school serves several communities in the district.
- In the spring of 2016 the local Northern Store, the reserve’s department store and main supplier of groceries, opened its expanded 16,000 square foot building. Tim Horton’s has been added to KFC and Pizza Hut and a café-like seating area provided, to which the manager welcomed customers to socialize with friends. The business offers an enlarged baby department which the opening notice declared had everything an infant needs. The store will also include the sale of local products. Employment has been given to 13 new staff.
- Of an importance to the community that cannot be overstated is the First Nations led Transmission Project, to bring reliable electricity to Pikangikum. When the reserve joined the Wataynikaneyap Power Company in August, it became one of 22 equal shareholders. The transmission lines will extend 1,800 kilometres to the north to connect more communities to the grid at an estimated total cost of 1.35 billion dollars.
- After many years during which the band prohibited further cutting in the Whitefeather Forest, the community has decided that it is time to develop a forestry industry in theirarea of customary crown land use. The announced purposes of the renewed cutting are economic development, renewal and resource stewardship. The Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority will have an area of operation of 11,749 square kilometres. One of its strong supporters pointed out that they have forestry technician students who will graduate soon, and experienced foresters on the reserve who will be involved.
- Residents wish desperately for an end to the grievous suicides and place much hope in the fine new school. The teaching staff of the school spend a good part of their time involving themselves in the social and emotional needs of the students as part of their mandate. Dealing with gasoline sniffing on the part of young people is a continuing issue. A group of residents has recently come together to combat the scourge. Pikangikum has a considerable staff who deal with the traumas of students and families: social workers, three or more nurses, and doctors that visit five days a week.
- The residents are very attached to their community and few leave. Is this partly out of fear of living in a distant, different and complex society?
- Airfares are expensive. Where can young people find the money for transportation?
- Do young people feel that an education in their nearest city is beyond their means?
- Do most Indigenous people still feel that they would find overwhelming prejudice outside?
- When will there be a clean municipal water and waste disposal system with trained resident technicians?
- When will the federal government invest in decent housing, also with Indigenous training in maintenance?
- Can residents obtain a decent standard of living?