Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada work in partnership with Indigenous communities to facilitate the goal of self-determination and ensure communities have adequate resources to exercise their jurisdiction.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada recognize the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as foundational frameworks for Indigenous peoples to realize self-determination.

Recommendation 3

That Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada review its land claims policy, as self-government and cultural continuity within Indigenous communities has been shown to be an important hedge against suicide.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada expand investment through long-term sustainable funding based on need to improve housing for Indigenous peoples, with particular attention paid to addressing homelessness, affordability and transitional housing; and that expanded investment be in partnership with Indigenous peoples and governments.

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada expand support for the Aboriginal Head Start On Reserve and Urban and Northern Communities programs.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada develop the forthcoming Indigenous languages strategy in partnership with Indigenous organizations and communities.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments work to ensure that outcomes for Indigenous students are equivalent to non-Indigenous counterparts, with an emphasis on their ability to participate in post-secondary education and/or vocational training.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada work to rebrand the Canada Student Loans, Grant and Bond programs and increase the flexibility of the application process to reflect the unique needs of Indigenous students; and work with respective First Nations communities to expand the flexibility of the Post-Secondary Student Support Program, with increased funding to support a greater number of students.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada, working in partnership with Indigenous organizations and territorial and regional governments, establish a university in the North.

Recommendation 10

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments, recognize the fundamental role of economic development and job creation in advancing Indigenous-specific youth suicide prevention strategies.

Recommendation 11

That the Government of Canada develop comprehensive employment wrap around services for Indigenous people, including transportation, transitional housing and employment coaching.

Recommendation 12

That the Government of Canada ensure that mental health services in Indigenous communities are trauma-informed and provide safe spaces for young people to disclose adverse childhood events and provide culturally appropriate follow-up care.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada completely overhaul Child and Family services for First Nations communities to increase prevention support for children and their families, keep more children out of foster care and support them growing up with a secure personal cultural identity. Further, that the Government of Canada work, on an urgent basis and in partnership with First Nations, and other partners to deliver comprehensive child welfare reform on reserve that puts the well-being of Indigenous children first.

Recommendation 14

That the Government of Canada ensure Friendship Centres receive adequate funding over multiple years to enable continuous programming, services and investments in infrastructure to support Indigenous peoples.

Recommendation 15

That Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada increase funding to Indigenous communities for youth and community centres; and work with communities to provide sustainable culturally appropriate programming.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with respective First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, support Indigenous-specific Mental Health Frameworks and Strategies and ensure they are provided with adequate, long-term funding; and develop measures to track progress concerning the implementation of these strategies and report on progress.

Recommendation 17

That Health Canada facilitate and support discussions, partnerships and the exchange of tools between Indigenous communities and regional or national organizations with expertise in suicide prevention and mental health.

Recommendation 18

That the Government of Canada implement a funding formula to provide long-term, predictable, stable funding to support the provision of mental health services for Indigenous peoples; and that the funding formula take into account population growth, inflation and remoteness.

Recommendation 19

The Government of Canada immediately and fully implement Jordan’s Principle; and that it engage with First Nations communities and partners with regards to an equitable funding model for access to health and social services for Indigenous children.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada, in consultation with Indigenous communities and organizations, clarify areas of community, provincial/ territorial and federal obligations with regards to health care provision.

Recommendation 21

That Health Canada increase Indigenous control over service delivery through partnerships with regions, health authorities and Indigenous organizations.

Recommendation 22

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with respective First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations and communities, develop Indigenous specific youth suicide prevention strategies; and ensure they are provided with stable, predictable, long-term, flexible funding.

Recommendation 23

That the Government of Canada ensure that medical transportation benefits are available to all eligible residents of remote Indigenous communities, and those individuals requiring assistance with mental health issues be entitled to bring an escort.

Recommendation 24

• That the Government of Canada support Indigenous communities to develop forward plans to identify specialized resources and intervention protocols across education, social, justice and health sectors, ensuring these individuals can provide services in the local language.
• That the Government of Canada, following the lead of Nunavik and Nunavut, support gatekeeper-like training for informal helpers, community-based workers, and/or youth to communicate about mental distress and to intervene during suicide crises.
• That the Government of Canada supports the use of social media networks to identify youth at risk of suicide and develop more effective prevention programs.
• That the Government of Canada support Indigenous communities to ensure resources be available after hours and on weekends when emergencies typically occur, with special attention paid to the needs of youth directly or indirectly affected by suicide.
• That the Government of Canada supports communities to develop infrastructure so emergency responders can locate and reach individuals in distress.
• That the Government of Canada makes available safe spaces to support youth and their families in case of crisis to ensure youth can recover from distress or suicide attempts.
• That the Government of Canada work in collaboration with Indigenous peoples and communities to improve mental health services in all Indigenous communities on a needs basis.

Aftercare

• Subject to privacy laws and the wishes of the patient, that the Government of Canada, the respective provincial and territorial governments, work to improve discharge planning between jurisdictions so family or friends on reserve or in Inuit communities are notified of discharge plans from psychiatric facilities, residential treatment centres or hospitals.
• Following the notification of discharge from such facilities, patients should receive follow up appointments after they return to their communities with local health or social services.

Recommendation 25

That the Government of Canada address mental health and substance abuse issues with increased investment in culturally appropriate infrastructure and programming.

Recommendation 26

That the Government of Canada ensure that First Nations and Inuit communities have adequate broadband connectivity for the use of tele- and video-health services; that communities be funded to explore the use of social media to widen access to mental health services and, that Indigenous communities are supported through capacity-building to operate and use such services.

Recommendation 27

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with relevant organizations, seek to develop culturally appropriate guidelines and best practices to be used to train to health professionals and public servants on Indigenous values, culture and history in order to enhance its provision of culturally relevant services to Indigenous clients.

Recommendation 28

That Health Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada, in partnership with respective Indigenous organizations, develop strategies to recruit, retain and train Indigenous individuals for careers in health and mental health.