StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014

PreparedbyJackHicks
ForNunavutTunngavikInc.
September2015

www.tunngavik.com

Introduction
InpublicdiscourseinNunavutonthepainfulsubjectofelevatedratesofsuicideintheterritory,one
hearsawiderangeofopinionsonthequestionofwhatwasthesuiciderateinoursocietybefore
settlementincommunities?OpinionsrangefromInuitneverkilledthemselvesbeforetheQallunaat
cametoSuicideispartofourculture(thesuggestionbeingthathistoricalInuitsocietyhadahighrate
ofsuicide).
Greaterclarityaboutsuicidebehaviourinthepastmaybehelpfulbecauseperceptionsaboutthe
frequencyandnatureofsuicideinhistoricalInuitsocietycanimpactonhowpeopleunderstandsuicide
behaviourtoday(i.e.whethersuicidebehaviortodayreflectstraditionalculturalnorms).Thisreport
presentsdatafromavarietyofsourcesthatmayhelpclarifyunderstandingaboutwhatweknowand
dontknowaboutthedevelopmentofelevatedratesofsuicideinNunavutinthelast100years.

The19thcentury
ThereisnoaccuratewaytodeterminetherateofsuicidebyInuitintheareawhatweknowtodayas
Nunavutbeforethe20thcentury.
ThereportsofearlyanthropologistssuchasKnudRasmussenandFranzBoasaredetailedand
fascinating,buttheirobservationsarebasedonahandfulofstoriesandcannotberelieduponto
explaintheentiretyofwhatwashappeningacrossInuitsocietyatthetime.ThefactthatRasmussen
recordedthesuicidesofthreeelderlypersonsduringhisfirstwinterintheCanadianArcticdoesnottell
uswhathappenedinotherwinters,orinotherpartsofNunavut.

TheIgloolikOralHistoryProject
ThemostcomprehensiveanddetailedbodyofknowledgewehaveaboutInuitlifeinthefirsthalfofthe
20thcenturyistheIgloolikOralHistoryProject(IOHP).1
SeveraloftheeldersinterviewedfortheIOHPsharedrecollectionsandthoughtsaboutsuicide
behaviourintheNorthBaffin.
NoahPiugaattuktoldinterviewersthatsuicidewasknowntohavehappenednowandthen,2and
GeorgeAgiaqKappianaqsaidthatsuicideoccurredinthepast:
onceinalongwhile.[T]herewerecaseswhenapersonwasillforsolongthattheygottired
oflivingwhichwouldgetthemtocommitsuicideastheyweretired.3
RosieIqalliyuqcommented:
Whenawomangottiredofbeingbeatenshewouldjustcommitsuicide,andpeopleusedtobe
scaredofthathappening.4
ThesenseonegetsfromreadingtheseandotherIOHPinterviewsisthatwhilesuicidewasnot
unknown,neitherwasitacommonoccurrence.Andwhenitoccurred,itoccurredforunderstandable
reasons.Whilethesearesignificantandvaluableinsights,theIOHPcannotsupportthecalculationofa
rateofsuicideintheNorthBaffin.
StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.1

RCMPfiles1920to1945

Onesourceofinformationaboutthepastthathasnotbeenexaminedpreviouslyiscasereportsprepared
bymembersoftheRoyalCanadianMountedPolice(RCMP)intheNorthwestTerritories(thepredivision
NWT,includingtheInuvialuitregion).Reviewofthesefilesfound27cases;thefirstin1920andthelastin
1945.TheRCMPseemstohavetakengreatinterestininvestigatingunexplaineddeathsbyInuit,perhaps
becauseofthefearofreligiousgroupsdeviatingfromtheAnglicanandCatholictraditionsespecially
afterthe1922murderoftwomenatKivitoo(acampnearpresentdayQikiqtarjuaq)whofailedtoaccept
aselfstyledprophet.RCMPofficersoftentravelledgreatdistancestoascertainthecircumstancesof
thesedeaths,andwhenpossibleconductednumerousinterviewswithfamilymembersandfriendsofthe
deceasedperson.

TheremaywellhavebeensuicideswhichwereneverbroughttotheRCMPsattention,andtherefore
notinvestigated.Andwhileitmaybethecasethatthecarefulreviewofthefilesmissedoneormore
cases,thecasesfoundandreviewedtellanimportantstory.

Ofthe27suicidecasesfound,25werebyCanadianInuit.5IfweusetheNWTEskimopopulationfrom
the1931Censusasthedenominator,wecancalculateasuiciderateofroughly20per100,000
population.618ofthesuicideswerebymen,andsevenwerebywomen.Therewasonlyoneyouth
suicide,aboyofabout17(whosecircumstancesofdeathwereuncertain).Nouseofalcoholorother
substanceswasmentionedinanyofthe25files.

Themostsignificantcausalfactorinthesefileswasclear:15ofthe25casesinvolvedadultswithintense
physicalormentaldistressthatwentuntreated.Inotherwords,lifeadversitythatcouldresultin
hopelessnessanddespairwhentheonlyphysicalandmentalhealthcareandcarefortheelderly
availablewaswhatthefamilygroupcouldprovide.

Itispossiblethatsomeofthesesituationswouldnothaveresultedindeathbysuicideiftheywereto
occurwiththepresentdayhealthsysteminplace.Forexample,theearliestcase,from1920,wasofa
woman(agenotspecified)whohadlongexpressedawishtoleavethisworldasaresultofher
blindness.Therewereothercasesofsuicideduetodepressionresultingfromblindness,bothasaresult
ofblindingasaresultofmaculardegenerationandofblindingbecauseofhuntingaccident.Therehave,
however,beennodocumenteddeathsbysuicideasresultofblindnessinrecentdecades.

Thesecondcasewasawomanwhohadlostherson,hiswifeandchildandthewifeofasecondsonto
starvationafterfailingtofindtheirfoodcaches.Whenhersurvivingsonbecameill,shehangedherself.
AsaHudsonBayCompanytraderlaterwroteabouttheboy,Asfaras[he]wasconcerned,itwasa
perfectlysimplematter.Hismotherbelievedthathewasgoingtodie.Withouthimtocareforher,life
wouldhavebeenintolerable.Itwasherwishthatsheshoulddie.Therewereseveralothercases
involvingintensegriefafterthedeathoflovedones.

Thelastcase(in1945)wasofawomanwhohadenduredyearsofbeatingsbyherhusband.Bothher
fatherandherbrothertoldtheinvestigatingofficerthatonseveraltimes[she]hadthreatenedtokill
herselfbuttheyhadnottakenherseriously.

StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.2

Theperiodfrom1946to1966

Administrativechangesthattookeffectin1945resultedinthekindsofRCMPfilescitedabovenolonger
beingcopiedtoOttawa,socomparablearchivalresearchafterthatyearisnotpossible.

Therearesurvivingcommentariesfromarangeofsourcesbetween1945and1967,buttheyarerare
andcannotbereliedontogiveusacomprehensiveunderstandingofwhatwashappeningacrossthe
EasternandCentralArcticintermsofsuicidebehaviourduringthoseyears.

ThebestknowncasefromthisperiodisthedeathoftheelderQulitalik(orKolitalik),whichresultedin
threemenbeingchargedwithassistinginasuicide.ThecasecamebeforeNWTJusticeJ.H.Sissonsin
IgloolikinApril1963.Thethreemenpledguiltytothecharge,butweregivenasuspendedsentence.7
QulitaliksmayhavebeenthelasticonicexampleofanInuitelderdecidingtoendhisorherliferather
thanendureterminalsuffering.

Itisalsonoteworthythattherewereseveralcaseswherepatientseithertriedtocommitsuicideor
succeededinittoavoidbeingsentSouthfortuberculosistreatment.8

Thereisanothersourceofdataonthisperiod,theworkofanthropologistAsenBalicki.Balikcispentpart
ofthesummerof1959andthewinterof1960amongtheArviligjuarmiutresidingatPellyBay(present
dayKugaaruk).Atthetime,thepopulationofthegroupwasabout120individuals.Inapaperpresented
shortlyafterhisfieldwork,Balikciwrotethatintheprevious50yearstheArviligjuarmiuthadsuffered35
deathsbysuicideandmanyothersuicideattempts.Onthisbasishecalculatedanastonishingsuicide
ratefortheArviligjuarmiutof575per100,000.Balickicitedonesuicidebya10yearoldboy,andfiveby
teenagers.ThestoriesBalikcitoldinhispaperwereoftendramatic.Forexample:
TwofamiliesarevoyaginginacanoeacrossPellyBay.Suddenlyastrongwindstartsblowing,the
seawavesbecomedangerous.Thetravellersbelieveeverythingisabouttobelost.A10yearold
boywaspersistentlyaskingforaguntokillhimself.9

TherearenoRCMPrecordsresemblingthissupposedsuicidethatBalikcidescribed.Thedeathbysuicide
ofa10yearoldwouldcertainlyhavebeenreported,andcommentedupon,bythepolice.

NeitherareBalikcisstoriesandstatisticssupportedbythepublicationsandpersonalpapersofthe
OblatemissionaryRev.FranzVanDeVelde.VanDeVelde,knowntoInuitasAtaataVinivi,10hadlived
amongtheArvilgjuarmiiutsince1936andspokefluentInuktitut.WithoutVanDeVeldesassistanceand
support,Balikciwouldnothavebeenabletoconductthefieldworkwhichlaunchedhisacademiccareer.

GivenVanDeVeldesincrediblydetailedknowledgeofhistinyflock,asevidencedbyhispublication
OnehundredfifteenyearsofArviligjuarmiutdemography,11itisinconceivablethathewouldhavenot
heardabout,orwouldhavefailedtodocument,35deathsbysuicideinsuchatinypopulation.
Furthermore,theonesuicidethatVanDeVeldedescribedisnotmentionedinBalikcispaper.

SinceBalikcispaperhasprovidedtheprimaryacademicsupportfortheoriesofsharplyelevatedratesof
suicideinhistoricInuitsociety,deeminghisfindingsasuncorroboratedandsettingthemasidegivesus
averydifferenthistoricalpicturethatofasocietywheresuicideoccurredonceinalongwhile(to
requoteGeorgeAgiaqKappianaq),usuallybyindividualsinintensephysicaland/ormentaldistressor
withotherknownriskfactorssuchasgriefoverthelossofalovedone.
StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.3

DatafromtheOfficeoftheChiefCoroneroftheNorthwestTerritories(1967to1999)andthe
OfficeoftheChiefCoronerofNunavut(19992014)
TheembryonicheadquartersoftheGovernmentoftheNorthwestTerritories(GNWT)wasrelocated
fromOttawatoYellowknifein1967,andthatyearsawtheestablishmentofaCoronersoffice.AChief
Coronerlocatedinthecapitalkeptincontactwithanetworkofcommunitycoronersinthecommunities
muchlikethearrangementprevailinginNunavuttoday.
TheauthorobtainedrecordleveldataondeathsruledtohavebeensuicidesinthepredivisionNWT,
sincerecordsbeganbeingkeptin1967,throughanAccesstoInformationrequesttotheGNWT
DepartmentofJustice.
Thesedatahavebothstrengthsandweaknesses:

Strength:Therearecompellinglegalreasonsforgovernmentstoaccuratelyruleoncauseof
death,andthedataobtainedfromtheGNWTwerecollectedwithaconsistentmethodology
overtime.Thesearetheofficialrecords.

Strength:Unlikedeathcertificatesintheprovinces,deathcertificatesintheterritoriesare
codedbyethnicity.

Weakness:Someoftheearliestrecordsofsuicidesinthepost1967NWTdidnotrecordtheage
ofthedeceased.

Weakness:TheGNWTDeptofJusticewithheldthesexandageoftheothersuiciderecords,so
astomakeitimpossibletoidentifythedeceasedindividuals.

Thelasttwofactorsaresignificant,astheypreventusfromunderstandingthetrendsbysexandage
group.Additionaladministrativedata(fromtherecordsoftheformerGNWTDeptHealth&Social
Services)onsomesuicidesbetween1977and1988andallsuicidesbetween1989and1999allows
analysisoftrendsbysexandagegroupbeginningin1989.
DataondeathsbysuicideinNunavutsinceApril1,1999wereobtainedfromtheOfficeoftheChief
CoronerofNunavut.
TableAcombinesdatafromtheNWTandNunavutCoronersofficesandpresentsthenumberofdeaths
bysuicidebyInuitintheareaweknowtodayasNunavut,bycommunityofdeath,from1967to2014.12
746Inuitarerecordedashavingdiedbysuicideduringthoseyears.Therehavealsobeen11deathsby
nonInuitforatotalof757deathsbysuicidesincesystematicrecordingbeganin1967.13
TherighthandcolumnofChartApresentstheoverallrateofdeathbysuicidebyInuitinNunavut,per
100,000population,using5yearrollingaverages.Rateswerecalculatedusingdemographicdata
obtainedfromStatisticsCanadaandtheNunavutBureauofStatistics.
Chart1presentsthenumberofdeathsbysuicidebyInuitinNunavutfrom1967to2014.Chart2
presentstheoverallrateofdeathbysuicidebyInuitinNunavut,per100,000population,using5year
rollingaverages.Chart3presentsthesamedataasChart2,butaddsthesuiciderateforCanadaasa
whole14toillustratethealmosttenfolddifferenceinratesbetweenInuitinNunavutandCanadiansasa
wholeinrecentyears.Chart4comparesInuitinNunavuttothepopulationsoftheprovincesandother
territories.15
StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.4

2
2
1
1

2
1

1
1
3

2
1
2
1
2
6
4
3
2
8
6
1
3
5
10
5
7
3
3
4
6
4
7
4
7
2
5
11
5
10
6

2
1
3
1

1
1
3
1
3

4
1
4
4
1
6
2
2
1

CapeDorset

CambridgeBay

22 22 32 29 55

BakerLake

2
3
2
2
1
1

1
2
2
3

2
1
1

1
2
4
1

1
2

2
2
1
1
1

2
1
1
1

2
0

2
1
1

1
1

1
2

6 32 10 16

1
1

0
3
1

3 21 32 155

2
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
2

3
1
5
3
1
3
2
1
2
3
4
5
2

2
1
1

1
1

1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
5
3
2
2
1
2
7

1
1
3
1

2
3
2

2
2
4
2

1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
3
2
1
2
2
3
2
5
3
3

1
1
2
2
2
1
4
1
1
1
1
2
4
1
2
1
1
1
1

4
1
2
2
2
2

2
1

1
1

2
1

1
3
1
1
1

1
1
1
1

1
2

1
2
3
1
2
1
4
3
4

1
1
1
1

1
1
2
2
1

8 11 58 51 48 26 57 16

Qikiqtarjuaq

1
1
1
1
4
1

3
1
1
2
2
3
1
1
3
1

1
1

3
2
3
1
2
1
1
2
4
1
1
1

1
1
2
2

PondInlet

HallBeach

2
1

Pangnirtung

1
1

1
2

3
1

Kugluktuk

1
1
1
1
1
2

1
3
2
1
1

1
1

Kugaaruk

1
1

Kimmirut

Igloolik

1
1

1
2

2
2

1
2
2
1

1
1

GriseFiord

1
2
1

1
1
1

ChesterfieldInlet

1
1
1
1
1
2

1
1

2
2
2
1
1

Iqaluit

1
2
2
1

GjoaHaven

1
1
1

ClydeRiver

1
1

CoralHarbour

1
1
1

1
1

1
1
1
1

1
1

1
1
1

7 16

0
1
0
1
1
2
2
1
3
2
3
14
4
4
6
3
5
9
10
18
12
13
16
11
9
14
18
22
16
22
22
26
22
25
27
25
36
27
25
29
24
30
29
27
33
25
45
27

9.7
11.3
12.8
16.0
17.4
18.6
37.9
41.8
42.4
47.5
46.0
47.2
40.1
47.5
62.8
73.1
81.6
88.0
86.6
73.2
73.5
77.1
81.3
84.2
95.1
100.4
105.5
103.4
109.8
112.3
112.9
119.7
120.3
116.8
115.0
111.1
103.4
103.2
103.0
104.3
103.3
112.3
109.2

746

WhaleCove

Taloyoak

1
3

Sanikiluaq

ResoluteBay

2
1

5
1
1
1
1

RepulseBay

RankinInlet

Total

Rateper100,000
pop.5year
rollingaverage

WhaleCove

Taloyoak

Sanikiluaq

ResoluteBay

RepulseBay

RankinInlet

Qikiqtarjuaq

PondInlet

Pangnirtung

Kugluktuk

Kugaaruk

Kimmirut

Iqaluit

Igloolik

HallBeach

GriseFiord

GjoaHaven

CoralHarbour

ClydeRiver

ChesterfieldInlet

CapeDorset

CambridgeBay

BakerLake

1
1

Arviat

Total

ArcticBay

1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014

DeathsbysuicidebyInuitinNunavut,bycommunityofdeath,19672014;and,
RateofdeathbysuicidebyInuitinNunavut,per100,000population,5yearrollingaverage

Arviat

ArcticBay

TableA:

StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.5

Chart1:DeathsbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,byyear,19672014
50
45

NumberofdeathsbysuicidebyInuit

40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5

2013

2011

2009

2007

2005

2003

2001

1999

1997

1995

1993

1991

1989

1987

1985

1983

1981

1979

1977

1975

1973

1971

1969

1967

Chart2:RateofdeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,per100,000pop.,5yearrollingaverage

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

2014

2012

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

1998

1996

1994

1992

1990

1988

1986

1984

1982

1980

1978

1976

1974

1972

StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.6

Chart3:CruderateofdeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuitandallCanadians,19722014

Rateofdeathbysuicide,per100,000population

140

120

100

80
NUInuit
Canada(all)

60

40

20

2014

2012

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

1998

1996

1994

1992

1990

1988

1986

1984

1982

1980

1978

1976

1974

1972

RateofdeathbysuicidebyInuit,per.100,000population

Chart4:Cruderateofdeathbysuicide,provinces/territoriesandNunavutInuit,2011
120

100

80

60

40

20

StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.7

ThefollowingtableandchartspresentthechangeinratesofdeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuitby
region,sexandagegroupbyfiveyeartimeperiodswithCensusyearsasthemedianyears:

TableA:RatesofdeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,byfiveyeartimeperiod

197983
byRegion
Qikiqtani
Kivalliq
Kitikmeot

198488

38.3
32.2
23.7

Fiveyeartimeperiod
198993
199498
199903

93.4
55.6
88.0

200408

200913

104.2
46.9
51.6

122.3
60.2
129.0

153.2
85.7
83.5

133.2
53.2
104.1

140.8
87.3
77.8

bySex
Men
Women

124.6
27.7

170.8
42.3

202.3
34.2

165.8
39.0

167.5
55.8

byAgeGroup
1014
1524
2534
3544
4554
55+

9.4
219.0
150.7
52.6
19.4
18.3

48.3
317.9
160.2
108.4
15.9
15.0

32.3
457.7
137.5
55.2
27.3
13.2

70.1
277.0
123.1
101.5
54.7
11.0

39.9
273.6
197.5
84.7
73.9
28.4

Chart5:RateofdeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,byregion,5yearrollingaverage

RateofdeathbysuicidebyInuit,per100,000population

180
160
140
120
100

Qikiqtani
Kivalliq

80

Kitikmeot
60
40
20

2014

2012

2010

2008

2006

2004

2002

2000

1998

1996

1994

1992

1990

1988

1986

1984

StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.8

Chart6:RateofdeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,bysex,byfiveyeartimeperiods

RateofdeathbysuicidebyInuit,per100,000population

250

200

150
Males
Females
100

50

0
198993

199498

19992003

200408

200913

Chart7:RateofdeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,byagegroup,byfiveyeartimeperiods

RateofdeathbysuicidebyInuit,per100,000population

500
450
400
350
1014

300

1524
2534

250

3544
200

4554
55+

150
100
50
0
198993

199498

19992003

200408

200913

StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.9

Nunavutsfirst15years:April1,1999toMarch31,2014
Thefollowingtableandchartspresentdataonthedeathsbysuicideby436NunavutInuitduringthe
territorysfirst15years,April1,1999toMarch31,2014.Rateswerecalculatedusingdemographicdata
obtainedfromStatisticsCanadaandtheNunavutBureauofStatistics.
TherateofdeathbysuicideforNunavutInuitoverthose15yearswas111.4per100,000population
9.8timestherateforCanadiansasawhole(11.4per100,000fortheperiod2000to2011,accordingto
StatisticsCanadasCANSIMTable1020552).TherateforInuitmenduringthatperiodwas185.8per
100,000,forInuitwomen47.9per100,000.
Thenumbersandratestotal,bysexandbyregionbyagegroupwere:

TableB:NumbersandratesofdeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,April1,1999toMarch31,2014,by
agegroup
Agegroup
2024
2529

Number
1014

1519

3034

35+

Total

23

147

111

57

37

61

bySex
Men
Women

14
9

117
30

94
17

46
11

30
7

48
13

byRegion
Qikiqtani
Kivalliq
Kitikmeot

14
6
3

95
37
15

68
25
18

41
6
10

26
5
6

35
13
13

Rateper100,000
1014

1519

Agegroup
2024
2529

3034

35+

Total

48.8

311.7

306.3

179.9

138.0

58.1

bySex
Men
Women

59.1
38.4

475.6
133.0

508.2
95.8

286.6
70.4

220.3
53.0

91.0
24.9

byRegion
Qikiqtani
Kivalliq
Kitikmeot

58.6
42.2
33.3

405.2
254.6
163.4

361.2
237.4
261.4

241.5
66.7
175.4

187.8
61.2
125.0

65.9
42.4
61.3

Chart8presentsthesuicideratebysexandagegroup.

StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.10

Chart8: RateofdeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,April1,1999toMarch31,2014,bysexandage
group

RateofdeathbysuicidebyInuit,per100,000population

600

500

400

300

Males
Females

200

100

DuringNunavutsfirstdecade,April1,1999toMarch31,2010,85%ofthe302deathsbysuicidebyInuit
occurredinresidencesorassociatedsheds.Mostoftherestoccurredatdifferentplacesincommunities,
andonlyafewoccurredoutsidecommunities.
Suicideswereslightlymorelikelytooccurduringthesummermonths:40.2%occurredduringthe
monthsofMaythroughAugust,comparedto29.8%fromJanuarytoApriland30.0%fromSeptemberto
December.Thepatternwasparticularlypronouncedamongwomen:60.7%ofsuicidesbywomen
occurredduringthesummermonths.Suicideswerealsoslightlymorelikelytooccuronweekends.
Fridays(18.7%)andSaturdays(16.3%)werethedaysoftheweekwiththehighestnumberofdeaths;
Wednesdays(12.0%)hadthelowest.
230ofthedeathsbysuicideoccurredbyhanging,61byfirearm,6bystabbing,3byoverdose,and2by
otherorunknownmethods.Thepatterndifferedsomewhatbysex:amongmen,74%occurredby
hangingand23%byfirearm;amongwomen,85%occurredbyhanging,6%byfirearmand4%by
overdose.
Toxicologicalsampleswereobtainedfrom82.7%ofthedeceased.27.2%ofthesamplestestedpositive
forethanol,atratesrangingfromwellbelowthelevelofintoxicationtolevelsofextremeintoxication.
73.0%ofsamplesfromIqaluitand71.4%ofsamplesfromCambridgeBaytestedpositiveforethanol,but
only16.2%ofsamplesfromthe23otherNunavutcommunitiesdid.34.7%ofsamplestestedpositivefor
cannabinoids.Amongsuicidevictimsbetweentheagesof15to19,11.4%testedpositiveforethanol
and41.9%testedpositiveforcannabinoids.
StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.11

ThetwofollowingchartspresenttherateofdeathbysuicideforNunavutInuitbycommunityof
affiliationoverthefifteenyearperiodApril1,1999toMarch31,2014.Whereknown,peoplewhodied
inhospitalinIqaluitafterhavingbeenmedivacedfromtheirhomecommunityorwhohadonlybeen
brieflyinIqaluitbeforetheirdeathhavebeenrecodedtotheirhomecommunity.
Overthefifteenyearperiod19992014therewas6.8folddifferencebetweentherateofsuicidein
Nunavutshighestratecommunityandtherateofsuicideintheterritoryslowestratecommunity:

Ninecommunities,withacombinedpopulationof7,781Inuitin2006,hadarateofdeathby
suicidehigherthanIqaluits.

15communities,withacombinedpopulationof14,411in2006,hadarateofsuicidelowerthan
Iqaluits.

IqaluitisthecommunitymarkedinwhiteinCharts9and10.

Chart9:RateofdeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,April1,1999toMarch31,2014,bycommunity

Chart10presentsthesamedatainmapformat.

StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.12

Chart10:RateofdeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,April1,1999toMarch31,2014,bycommunity

StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.13

DiscordancebetweenthestatisticspublishedbytheOfficeoftheChiefCoronerandthose
publishedbyStatisticsCanada
EarlyeachyeartheOfficeoftheChiefCoronerofNunavutreleasesasummaryofthenumberofall
deathsbysuicide(combinedcountsofInuitandnonInuit)thatoccurredduringthepreviousyear.The
mostrecentsuchdocumentisentitledSuicideStatsbyCommunity1999Dec31,2014.
ThereisadelayofseveralyearsbeforeStatisticsCanadacancompletetheprocessingrequiredtoallow
releasenationwidestatisticsoncausesofdeath.2011iscurrentlythemostrecentyearforwhichdata
isavailableonCANSIMTable1020552,Deathsandmortalityrate,byselectedgroupedcauses,age
groupandsex,Canada,whichwaslastupdatedinSeptember2014.Thedatapresentedbelowarethe
countsforIntentionalselfharm(suicide)[ICD10codingX60X84,Y87.0].

TableC: Numberofdeathsbysuicide,combinedInuitandnonInuit,aspertheOfficeoftheChief
CoronerofNunavutandStatisticsCanada
2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

CANSIMtable1020552*

25

26

25

31

24

20

16

20

22

21

23

24

NunavutCoroner'scount

26

28

25

37

27

25

29

24

29

29

30

34

difference

13

10

*accessedSeptember1,2015

27%ofthedeathsdeemedtohavebeensuicidesbytheOfficeoftheChiefCoronerofNunavutbetween
2005and2011aremissingfromthestatisticspresentedonCANSIM.Theauthorhasbeenunableto
obtainanexplanationforthisdiscrepancy.

Conclusion
Thisreporthaspresentedtheavailablestatisticaldataononeaspectoftheepidemiologicaltransition
thathasoccurredamongInuitinNunavutinthelast100years:fromasocietywithrelativelylowrates
ofdeathbysuicidetoasocietywithtragicallyhighratesofdeathbysuicide.Theoverallpatternofrisk
factorsforsuicidebehaviourhaschangedconsiderablyovertime,soitisimportanttodifferentiate
suicidebehaviourbyInuitinthepastfromsuicidebehaviourbyInuittoday.SuicideisnotapartofInuit
culture,exceptinthesensethatsuicidebehaviouroccursinallhumansocieties.
AteamofresearchersfromtheMcGillGroupforSuicideStudiesconductedtheLearningfromlivesthat
havebeenlivedsuicidefollowback(orpsychologicalautopsy).Thestudyinvestigatedall120casesof
suicidebyInuitthatoccurredinNunavutbetweenJanuary1,2003andDecember31,2006.Thestudy
teaminterviewedmultiplefamilymembersandfriendsofeachofthedeceased,andreviewedtheir
medicalrecords.Thisallowedthestudytodocumentthedeceasedsfamilystructure,childhood
experiences,schoolhistory,workhistory,relationshiphistory,historyofalcoholanddruguse,medical
history,psychologicalhistory,andotherfactorswhichmayhaveplayedaroleinhis/herdeath.
StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.14

Itwasacasecontrolstudy,meaningthatforeverydeceasedpersonalivingcontrolwasmatchedby
community,sexandage.Thisallowedtheresearcherstocomparetheresultsforpersonswhohaddied
bysuicidewiththeirpeerswhohadnotdiedbysuicide.
ResultshavebeenreleasedinaprojectreportavailableontheEmbraceLifeCouncilwebsite,16a
methodologyarticleinanopenaccessacademicjournal17andmostrecentlyanopenaccessacademic
articlepresentingthefindings.18
Thefollowbackstudyfoundthat:

Comparedwithcontrolsubjects,subjectswhodiedbysuicideweremorelikelytohave
experiencedchildhoodabuse,havefamilyhistoriesofmajordepressivedisorderandsuicide
completion,andhavebeenaffectedbymajordepressivedisorder,alcoholdependence,or
cannabisdependenceinthelast6months.

SubjectswhodiedbysuicideweremorelikelytohavebeenaffectedwithclusterBpersonality
disordersandhadhigherscoresofimpulsiveandaggressivetraits.

andconcludedthat:

Attheindividuallevel,clinicalriskfactorsforsuicideamongInuitaresimilartothoseobserved
instudieswiththegeneralpopulation,andindicateaneedforimprovedaccesstomentalhealth
services.

Thehighrateofmentalhealthproblemsamongcontrolsubjectssuggeststheneedfor
populationlevelmentalhealthpromotion.

AsaguesteditorialintheCanadianJournalofPsychiatrynoted,
Thishigherburdenofpsychiatricillnesssignifiestheimportanceofclinicalriskfactorsthatare
relevanttosuicideglobally.Inotherwords,thehighratesofsuicideinNunavutcanbe
understoodintermsofgeneralmodelsofsuicidalbehaviour.Thisisacontributiontothe
debatearoundwhethersuicideinIndigenouscontextsisqualitativelydifferentthansuicidein
nonIndigenouspopulations,withimplicationsfortheconsequentroleofmentalhealth
interventions.19

Endnotes

In1986,agroupofIgloolikcommunityeldersmettoconsiderwaysofpreserving,forposterity,thelanguage,
traditions,valuesandhistoryoftheIglulingmiut.Theeldersdecidedtosystematicallyrecordonaudiotapeas
muchoftheiraccumulatedknowledgeaspossibleandtheIgloolikOralHistoryProjectbegan.Fromthe
beginning,communitysupportandinvolvementintheprojectwassignificant.
http://www.archivescanada.ca/english/search/ItemDisplay.asp?sessionKey=999999999_142&l=0&lvl=1&v=0&co
ll=1&itm=220961&rt=1&bill=1;seealso
http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/archives/nunavut000131/nvt20121_10.html

Piugaattuk,Noah:IE011.IgloolikOralHistoryProject,NunavutResearchInstitute.Igloolik,1993.

Kappianaq,GeorgeAgiaq:IE455.IgloolikOralHistoryProject,NunavutResearchInstitute.Igloolik,2000.

StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.15

Iqalliyuq,Rosie:IE027.IgloolikOralHistoryProject,NunavutResearchInstitute.Igloolik,1987.

TherewasonesuicidewasbyanonInukRCMPofficer,andonebyaSiberianEskimoemployedbythe
HudsonsBayCompany.

Thisratecontrastswiththerateof3.0calculatedforGreenlandersfortheperiod1900to1930byDr.Alfred
Berthelsen,theislandsfirstChiefMedicalOfficer.Berthelsennotedthatthefewsuicidesoccurringduringthat
periodweretheresultofseriousmentalillness.See:Berthelsen,Alfred.Grnlandskmedicinskstatistikog
nosografiI:Grnlandsbefolkningsstatistik190130.MeddelelseromGrnland117:1,1935.pp.183.

See:Rasing,Wim.ThecaseofKolitalikontheencounterofIglulingmiutcultureandCanadianjustice,in:C.Buijs
(ed.),ContinuityandDiscontinuityinArcticCultures.Leiden:CNWS,1993.pp.91107;and,Eber,DorothyH.
ImagesofJustice.Montreal&Kingston:McGillQueensUniversityPress,1997.pp.1315.

Grygier,PatS.ALongWayFromHome:TheTuberculosisEpidemicamongtheInuit.Montreal&Kingston:McGill
QueensUniversityPress,1994.p.115.

Balicki,Asen.SuicidalbehaviouramongtheNetsilikEskimos.Paperpresentedattheannualmeetingofthe
CanadianPoliticalScienceAssociation,1960.p.11.

10

See:Brandson,LorraineE.FranzVanDeVelde,O.M.I.(19092002).Arctic55:4,2002.pp.4078.
http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic554407.pdf

11

See:VanDeVelde,Franz,etal.OnehundredfifteenyearsofArviligjuarmiutdemography,CentralCanadian
Arctic.ArcticAnthropology30:2,1993,pp.145.http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/40316336.pdf

12

Coronersrecordapersonsplaceofdeathaspreciselythatthecommunityinwhichthepersondied.Thiscan
slightlydistortcommunitylevelreports,aspeoplewhoattempttoendtheirlivesincommunitiesinthe
QikiqtaniregionaresometimesmedivacedtothehospitalinIqaluit,anddiethere.Theyare(accurately)
recordedashavingdiedinIqaluit,buttheywerenotapersonfromIqaluit.

13

PeoplewhoattempttoendtheirlivesinNunavutandaremedivacedtohospitalsinsouthernCanadaorthe
NorthwestTerritories,andwhodiethere,are(accurately)recordedhavingdiedinaprovinceorterritoryother
thanNunavut.TheirdeathsarenotincludedinthestatisticsreleasedbytheOfficeoftheChiefCoronerof
Nunavut.Thereisnoaccuratecountofsuchcases;theauthorisawareofsevensuchcasessince1999.

14

Datafor1972to2008fromhttp://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82624x/2012001/article/desc/1169608desc
eng.htm,datafor2009to2011(mostrecentyearavailable)fromStatisticsCanadaCANSIMTable1020551.

15

Itshouldbenotedthatotherjurisdictionshavesubpopulationswhosesuicideratesfarexceedthatofthe
jurisidictionasawholemostnotablyInuitlivinginNunatsiavut(Newfound&Labrador),Nunavik(Quebec)and
theInuvialuitSettlementRegion(NorthwestTerritories).Itisimpossibletomeasurethesuiciderateamong
Inuitlivinginthesouth,asdeathcertificatesintheprovincesarenotcodedbyethnicity.

16

Chachamovich,Eduardo,andMonicaTomlinson.NunavutSuicideFollowBackStudy:IdentifyingtheRiskFactors
forInuitSuicideinNunavut.Montreal:McGillGroupforSuicideStudies,2013.http://inuusiq.com/newsand
upcomingevents/nunavutsuicidefollow%C2%ADbackstudyidentifyingtheriskfactorsforinuitsuicidein
nunavut/

17

Chachamovich,Eduardo,etal.ApsychologicalautopsystudyofsuicideamongInuitinNunavut:
Methodologicalandethicalconsiderations,feasibilityandacceptability,InternationalJournalofCircumpolar
Health72,2013.http://www.circumpolarhealthjournal.net/index.php/ijch/article/view/20078

18

Chachamovich,Eduardo,etal.SuicideamongInuit:Resultsfromalarge,epidemiologicallyrepresentative
followbackstudyinNunavut,CanadianJournalofPsychiatry60:6,2015.pp.26875.http://publications.cpa
apc.org/media.php?mid=1906

19

Crawford,Allison.AnationalsuicidepreventionstrategyforCanadiansFromresearchtopolicyandpractice.
CanadianJournalofPsychiatry60:6,2015.pp.23941.http://publications.cpaapc.org/media.php?mid=1911

StatisticaldataondeathbysuicidebyNunavutInuit,1920to2014p.16