A One-Day Snapshot of Aboriginal Youth in Custody Across Canada: Phase II

This study qualitatively examined the experiences of Aboriginal youth in custody in Canada using a sharing circle method. 41 sharing circles were conducted with approximately 250 youth in 11 different custody facilities. A number of different issues for these youth were explored. Findings relating to suicide include: exposure to familial suicide was common; suicide thoughts, self-harm, & attempted suicide were also common; institutional responses to youth who express suicidal feelings were deemed to be punitive.