Justin Trudeau to meet Attawapiskat chief in wake of more suicide attempts

Prime Minister Justin Trudeauhas accepted an invitation to meet with thechief of Attawapiskat in Ottawa

In a letter addressed to Chief Bruce Shisheesh late Thursday, Trudeau said he is deeply concerned with the suicide crisis in the James Bay community, and that with the "urgency and gravity of this situation in mind" he has agreed to see Shisheesh at a mutually convenient time.

"I'm excited to meet the prime minister," said Shisheesh."I look forward to visiting him and talking to him person to person. Also, to talk to him nation to nation.

"It means a lot knowing that I'm going to be heard," he said.

Shisheeshsent alettertoTrudeauearlier this week asking for a meeting, citingnine more suicide attempts inhis community.

Attawapiskathas been under a state of emergency over the number of suicide atttempts since April.

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

Trudeauwants to meet with youth

Trudeau told reporters on Friday that he looks forward to meeting Shisheesh. He saidhe also wants to see the young people of Attawapiskat.

"Meeting with them, understanding their concerns, and giving them the opportunities and the capacitytofulfiltheir extraordinary potentialis a priority for us," he said.

In his letter to Shisheesh, Trudeau said heplans to meetwith youth from the communities ofMushkegowukTribal Council andNishnawbeAskiNation, and to speak with elected officials about the challenges they face in their communities.

"I amagonizedto see the number of suicide attempts by young people inAttawapiskat," Trudeau said.

"I wish to express my sincere support for the families and community members who are affected by this tragic situation."

Trudeauhas committed$8.4 billion over five years towardsIndigenous infrastructure,culture, education, health and opportunities.

A trip to Attawapiskat in the works?

I am agonized to see the number of suicide attempts by young people in Attawapiskat.- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

So far, Trudeauhas not announced official plans to fly toAttawapiskat.

But in his letter to Shisheesh, hesaid helooks forward to visiting the communityin the near future.

"I stand with all of you as we work together to forge a durable solution for the youth in Attawapiskat," he said.

Health MinisterJanePhilpottis also expected to visit the community soon.