Attawapiskat chief implores Trudeau for meeting, cites 9 more suicide attempts this week

The chief of Attawapiskatis once againpressing Prime Minister Justin Trudeaufor a meeting, saying it's now "a matter of life and death" in the wake ofmore suicide attempts on the northern Ontario reserve.

Chief BruceShisheeshtweeted on Wednesdaythat, the day before, there were nine more attempted suicides or overdoses in the James Bay community.

The appeal from Shisheesh implores Trudeaufor an audience, "with you as the minister of youth,along with our minister of Indigenous affairs and the minister of health to have a discussion of our community concern."

Shisheesh continued, "While the efforts of your ministers is appreciated to date, it falls short [of] finding a permanent solution for our youth."

Working on a solution

Timmins-JamesBay MP Charlie Angus also echoedShisheeh'srequest, calling for the prime minister to respond to the chief'sletter.

"I think for the prime minister, it'sshowing leadership. And asking, what can I do to help?" Angus said in Ottawa on Thursday.

Angus said he has been communicating with the peopleinAttawapiskatand called the ongoing crisis there "unfortunate."

"I think what the community is feeling is incredible pressure," he said. "They want to know they are being heard."

The NDP MP added that a number of positive steps has been taken to improve things in Attawapiskat, such as establishing a permanent youth council and working with organizations like the YMCA and Right To Play to create more activities for young people.

He also said the community is working to geta youth delegationto go to Ottawa.

Attawapiskat has been under a state of emergency since early April, with the chief and council saying the community hasbeen overwhelmed by ongoing suicide attempts.

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This latest word from the chief now puts the total number of people who'veattempted suicideat well over 100since September.

Shisheesh told CBC News in April that the youngest attemptwas by an11-year-old, andthe eldest attempt was bya71-year-old.

In April, Minister of Indigenous Affairs Carolyn Bennett made a trip to Attawapiskat to hear from community members.

Bennett committed fundingto a new youth centre as well as some programming for young people.The province committed to provide up to $2 million for mental health workers, nurses and support help.

Shisheesh updated his Twitter feed Thursday morning, saying his letter to the prime minister "hasn't been acknowledged yet."