Every time another Inuk commits suicide in Nunavik, Eli Weetaluktuk feels guilty.
As executive director of the hospital in Puvirnituq, Weetaluktuk believes the health care system that he helps run is failing his people. The Inuit of Quebec have one of the highest suicide rates in the world, and the health system isn’t doing enough to help, Weetaluktuk said.
He said the health system doesn’t take into account traditional Inuit healing methods, traditions or culture. Most of his professional staff aren’t Inuit either, he said.
“As an executive-director, I have to feel guilty when we lose a client by suicide. Under the regime, I cannot consult with our elderly on issues like suicide. We are made to feel ashamed of our culture and traditions while our young people are killing themselves because they are confused,” said Weetaluktuk.
“I should be the last one to say these things, but as long as we keep denying our traditions and culture, we will see people passing away before they should,” he said.
“Unless we are allowed to pursue our traditional methods of intervention, we will continue to see suicide. We need to regroup as Native people. We’ve existed for 10,000 years before the (Nunavik Health) Board came here from Europe.”
He said some of the health board’s problems stem from lack of funding. “If the province is telling us to live like francophones and act like francophones, then they should fund us like francophones,” he said.
But money is only part of the problem. Weetaluktuk said many non-Inuit staff are resistant to change. Also, the health board seems to have a “lack of commitment” to train Inuit people to take over professional and managerial positions from non-Inuit.
Nunavik Health Board executive director Minnie Grey was dismissive about Weetaluktuk’s concerns, saying he should act, not complain: “It’s very easy for people to go out and make a complaint.”
