Nunavut Families Grieve After Triple Suicide in Pond Inlet

Photo: X / NunatsiaqNews

The small community of Pond Inlet, also known as Mittimatalik, has been left in deep sorrow after three young people died by suicide in July. Families are struggling to cope with the sudden loss of children who were full of energy, dreams, and potential.

For Verna Strickland, the pain is personal. Just a week before, her 13-year-old relative had been laughing and helping decorate for a wedding. “He was up the ladder, hanging balloons, acting like everything was fine,” she recalled. Days later, he was gone.

The boy, described as funny, caring, and a natural hunter, took his own life on July 7. His death, along with two others, shocked the entire community and once again highlighted the ongoing crisis of suicide in Nunavut.

The Scale of the Crisis

According to official reports, 458 people in Nunavut died by suicide between 2010 and March 2024, and 451 of them were Inuit. Suicide has become one of the greatest challenges facing the territory.

Young people are especially at risk. In the last five years, almost one-quarter of Nunavut suicides were among youth under 19. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, a national Inuit organization, estimates suicide rates in Inuit regions are five to 25 times higher than in the rest of Canada.

In June, the Nunavut government once again declared suicide a crisis, acknowledging that the problem demands urgent attention.

Support After the Tragedy

Following the July tragedies, support poured into Pond Inlet. Organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross and the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre from Rankin Inlet organized counselling, healing circles, community gatherings, rock painting, and other activities.

Strickland said these efforts brought comfort and helped families feel less alone. “It gave us connection and healing at a time when we needed it most,” she said.

Karen Nutarak, the MLA for Tununiq, spoke at the legislative assembly, warning that the situation could have been even worse without the quick response. Some youth were sent out of the community for counselling because local resources were overwhelmed. Others were placed on mental health watch to prevent more attempts.

Government’s Response

Nunavut’s Health Minister, John Main, admitted that while he cannot say the government’s approach has completely changed, the tragedies have added urgency. “Every tragedy underlines the need for action,” he said.

The government is now working on housing support, land-based programs, and education campaigns with the RCMP about safe firearm and medication storage. These measures are part of Nunavut’s fourth suicide prevention action plan, which includes a $5 million package under discussion at the legislature. The package also proposes funding for men’s group programs and expanded mental health services.

“It can’t just be thoughts and prayers. It must be backed up by real action,” Main stressed.

Voices from the Community

Families and leaders continue to push for culturally grounded solutions. Lori Idlout, a federal representative, said she plans to raise Inuit concerns in Parliament. She emphasized the importance of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit — traditional knowledge and values — in counselling and support services.

“Inuit are strong, we have our language and culture. But we need more support, more training, and programs built for our people,” she said.

Strickland, still grieving, expressed her frustration with broken systems that do not work well for Inuit communities. “I won’t pretend to have all the answers, but I am tired of waiting for change that never comes fast enough. We’re bleeding, and bandages are no longer enough,” she said.

Her words echo the feeling of many in Pond Inlet: “We’re losing our children, and we’re losing our future.”

Looking Ahead

Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel, after visiting Nunavut in late July, admitted youth suicide is one of her biggest concerns. She promised to work with the territorial government to bring new programs to small communities where young people are most vulnerable.

For families like Strickland’s, promises are welcome, but action is what they are waiting for. Until then, Pond Inlet remains a community healing from deep wounds, holding on to culture, family, and hope in the face of heartbreaking loss.