"Bringing home Payahtakenemowin (Peace of Mind): Creating self-governing community services"

Abstract

The decade from 1985 to 1997 saw rapid social and economic change in the 27 remote hunting and trapping First Nations of Northwestern Ontario. The area also saw an eightfold increase in the suicide rate despite the introduction of a multi-million dollar system of outside helping services. By assuming control of health services, the First Nations have increased the ability to address health and social service problems locally.