Nunavut had near record-high suicides in 2011

Nunavuts coroner says there were 34 suicides last year in the territory,the second-highest numbersince1999.

The youngest was12 years old.

Iqaluit had a record high of 11 suicide deaths last year. Nunavut's37 suicides in 2003 remains the territory's record high.

Natan Obed, acting president ofthe Embrace Life Council,said root problemssuch asforced settlement, relocation, dog slaughters and residential schoolsall play a part in the territory's high suicide rate.

"We need to give people ways to come through adversity that perhaps were not giving to them now," he said.

The Government of Nunavut signed an action plan in September 2011 to lower suicide rates. The plan comes from Nunavuts Suicide Prevention Strategy, which is meant to combat the reasons why people take their own lives.

There are also initiatives like the applied suicide intervention skills training which are being delivered around the territory. The program teacheshow to recognize risk factors for suicideanddirect people towardsthe help they need.

"The challenge we have now is that we're traumatizing our youth and our children," said Obed.

"We're not doing enough to support them, we're not doing enough to provide the foundation for our children to grow up in a place where they haveall sorts of protective factors."

The Embrace Life Councilheldits annual gala this past weekend, which raised $15,000. Obedsaidthe council is in a state of transition, redefining its role.

"Were going to be trying to be more of a focal point for people in the territory so that when they think about reaching out or helping or being involved in any way, that they can come to the Embrace Life Council," he said. "We can all do something to help prevent suicide."