Quebec Cree youth head to Attawapiskat to deliver letters of hope after suicide spiral
Letters from the Quebec Cree communities, 40,000 kilograms of donations have already been delivered
More than 30 young people from the Quebec Cree communities of James Bay are flying with AirCreebec today to deliver letters of hope and cards of encouragement to Attawapiskat.
The isolated Cree community in Northern Ontario declared a state of emergency in April after a wave of suicide attempts.
- 5 more Attawapiskat youth attempt suicide in 'spiralling situation'
- Cree launch letter writing campaign to show support for Attawapiskat
When a letter-writing campaign was announced at the Cree regional health assembly in Waskaganish last month, right away Carol Hester felt compelled to make cards with positive messages.
"When I heard there was a suicide crisis, it really hit my heart," said Hester. "It made me feel emotional. I felt like crying, because I have personally lost five friends to suicide."
"Since that time, I had a strong desire to be a good friend."
Hester hopes to influence change in Attawapiskat by sharing her experience. She will be on the plane that delivers the letters, cards and drawings today.
The Quebec Cree Youth Council hopes this initiative will be the start of a long-term exchange between youth on either side of James Bay.
A lasting connection
Youth Grand Chief Alex Moses wants to establish a connection for future collaborations and a lasting friendship.
"We're there to to listen to them, to hear them out and be friends with them – to show them that we have a lot of compassion," said Moses. "I think something will ignite from there."
Forty thousand kilograms of donations, along with letters from the Quebec Cree communities, have already been delivered to Attawapiskat says Gaston Cooper of AirCreebec and one of the organizers of the trip.
Still more are waiting at Air Creebec counters for delivery later today.