Essay Questions

How does Talaga explain the high suicide rates among young indigenous people?

In this text, Talaga explains that suicide rates are particularly high among young indigenous people in North America and argues that this is due to cultural genocide and colonization. As a result of colonization, indigenous young people today feel disconnected from their culture and therefore struggle to reconcile their identity. Talaga points to other struggles indigenous people face, such as racism, healthcare issues and educational issues. A high suicide rate is also caused by an inability to treat mentally ill people properly, due to a lack of resources and funding for indigenous communities.

What solutions does Talaga propose for tackling the high suicide rate?

Talaga concludes that the current system does not work and is failing many indigenous communities. These communities often don’t have enough funding for healthcare, and mental health treatment. Any funding goes towards sending indigenous people away from their communities to the city, which doesn’t result in long lasting treatment, as they are away from their families and are then returned to the same environment. Talaga argues that this kind of treatment does not get to the root of the problem, but instead deals with immediate problems as they arise. As such, the root of the issue is never dealt with, and the problems will continue to happen.

Talaga proposes self-determination for indigenous communities in politics and healthcare. She believes that these communities should have control over their own healthcare funding and should decide where it is best spent. Ultimately, she concludes that the youth suicide crisis is not just about the children, but should also be about the parents, as often they are struggling too. She advocates treating parents and children together, rather than removing children from the community for individual mental health treatment.