By Chad Klassen

Kamloops students helping people of Attawapiskat

Apr 28, 2016 | 5:29 PM

KAMLOOPS – It’s an community more than 2,500 kilometers from Kamloops, but a group of students from Juniper Ridge Elementary isn’t letting distance get in the way of helping the people of Attawapiskat, an impoverished reserve in Northern Ontario, where there’s been a state of emergency after an epidemic of suicide attempts. 

WATCH: Full report by Chad Klassen

People in Attawapiskat are living in Third World conditions, with poor drinking water, inadequate housing, and only two nurses for the 2,000 people who reside there. 

The Grade 6 and 7 students are hoping to make a difference, trying to educate residents about the crisis that’s been unfolding with over 100 suicide attempts since September. On Wednesday, while walking through downtown, the students gathered messages of hope from residents, messages that will soon be sent directly to the people of Attawapiskat. 

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The group also set up a meeting with Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod, who’s the indigenous critic for the Conservative Party. A group of 10 met with McLeod on Wednesday and were each able to have two questions answered. 

The students hope they can also raise money through bake sales and other fundraisers to help out the best they can. 

FURTHER READING: ‘Another reason to live:’ Attawapiskat teen struggles for meaning in life

FURTHER READING: First Nations student presses Trudeau on Third World living conditions