Remote Ontario First Nation in shock after 3rd girl kills herself
Grief-stricken members of a remote northern Ontario community were still struggling to cope on Friday after the suicide of yet another 12-year-old girl sparked fears a death pact could claim even more young lives.
The death last week of Jenara Roundsky, the third pre-teen member of the Wapekeka First Nation to die by suicide this year, prompted an anguished cry for outside help.
“We need help, we need help immediately,” band spokesman Joshua Frogg said in an interview. “We have 10 and 12-year-old boys and girls that are acting like front-line workers, first responders and that’s not acceptable.”
So far, he said, no help has arrived, although he said Health Canada told him that long-requested federal money — $380,000 — should be in the band’s account next week.