A trip to remember

I just got back from a three day trip to the remote community of Pikangikum First Nation. I was sent to see firsthand on the issues that this community faces. I arrived at the airport and met mr Whyderman Black, who is the Crisis coordinator for his community. He was pretty happy to meet me when I told him I was working with the Seven Youth Media.

As we drove into town, I began asking him questions like thenumber of people who live in this First Nation, and which house is whose, etc. I was curious about being in what felt like a new place to me. Pikangikum First Nation has been around for quite some time. It is located 100 kilometres northwest from Red Lake and has been suffering from extreme social problems.

As we drive in towards town, homes all spray painted in
graffiti and gang-related signs all cover each home that are covered with boarded up windows. I ask Mr. Black, “Do people actually live in these homes?” he looks at me and says, “Yes”. These homes would be worth to destroy as they should not be inhabitable at all. Like so many other First Nations communities in Canada, Pikangikum’s social issues vary from lack of housing, lack of sewer and fresh water services, alcohol and drug abuse and lastly the ramped suicide that has increasingly been clouding this community of 2,500 for years.

“This is my 8th crisis” said Black since he started his job as a Crisis Coordinator in September. Black begins telling his story on how it’s been like since he started working. “It’s hard especially when it’s your own cousin” he told me, “I remember we had to do a search team out in the lake and when they found my cousin’s body, I didn’t know what to think.” Like so many who have perished so young, Black says the job can be overwhelming at times. “You just got to try to think positive” he said.

In the last two years, Black says there have been about 26 suicides and many attempts. “It’s those who succeed - it’s very difficult” he said in a very low tone. Black drops me off at a home where I go and visit for a few hours. As we’re sitting in the living room, shot guns begin firing. After the 8th shot, it stops. We stand outside and hear yelling from young woman. “Those people are getting beaten up” said one girl who did not want to give me her name. “It happens every night here”. A few minutes later, shouting erupts from the bushes. “Listen” she tells me, “those are the gas sniffers, you gotta watch out for them”. I looked in utter disbelief, “This is crazy” I told her. The thought of wanting to get back on the plane kept dawning.

“It’s sad” commented Black, as he drives by the school at 3 in the morning while children as young as 10 still roam around in the wee hours of the morning. “Many of these parents lack parenting skills, they let their kids do anything they want” said another, who wished to remain anonymous. He said “this is why child abuse happens; parents don’t care what happens to their child.” Outside the hotel, where I was staying, a fight erupts between a young female and an older male. She cries uncontrollably and threatens to kill herself since “nobody loves me” she yells.

As I watch, another fight erupts nearby. Listening very carefully, doors slam and windows shatter. I ask if this was normal and the majority of these young people I interviewed said its normal since it goes on a day to day basis, they tell me. “At times you can’t do anything because we don’t know what else to do” said the 19 year old male, speaking in his native language. “We just watch and pray”.

The average age in Pikangikum is 21 and about 35 percent of the community’s population is under the age of 15, with many of these children under Tikinagan care. “This is why a lot of our people move to other places” he said, “They cannot stand it anymore.” As he talked, you could sense desperation from his soft spoken voice. As the time came for me to leave Pikangikum, I felt sad knowing that these young people need someone who will help them stay positive. I told them I would come back and visit them longer. Only time will tell when that will be.

As a writer for Seven Youth, I felt compelled to share with you my experience on this trip to Pikangikum.. I honestly felt the hurt and pain from these young people whom I had interviewed during my three day stay. It took awhile for me to complete this, as this article if probably the toughest one I have ever wrote with all my years writing. I hope you got a taste of what I had experienced firsthand and hope you continue to help your young people in ways they can’t imagine.

As I depart, these young people offer hugs of friendship and on the plane I go. I whisper a prayer for each and every one of them, asking God the Creator to protect each and everyone from harm.

With files from Chris Kornacki