The Hamlet of Arviat is putting out a call for community volunteers to take part in a mental health gathering at the King Arena on July 13. Residents are invited to sing songs, give short speeches, or share words of encouragement with young people. The event aims to honour those lost to suicide, build hope, and remind everyone that every story matters.
Arviat’s Director of Community Development Jolene Curley is the contact for anyone wanting to help. She can be reached through Messenger or by commenting on the Hamlet’s Facebook post. The event comes as Nunavut continues to face a suicide crisis, with rates nine times higher than the Canadian average. In June 2025, the territory and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. declared suicide a continuing crisis, a full decade after their first declaration.
Victoria Madsen, Nunavut’s assistant deputy minister of health, has stressed that preventing suicide takes more than hiring counsellors. It means creating safe spaces and stronger community ties through things like music, sports, and gatherings. This volunteer-driven event fits that approach, leaning on local voices to connect with youth in a familiar setting.
Arviat has a history of using community events for healing. The Aqqiumavvik Society, a local alliance of health groups, runs programs shaped by what residents say they need. The King Arena itself got a boost in March 2026, winning $50,000 in upgrades through the Kraft Hockeyville contest to fix long-standing heating problems in the 36-year-old building.
The gathering is open to all who want to support Arviat’s youth. Whether through a song, a few words, or simply being present, volunteers can help show young people they are valued. Anyone interested can contact Jolene Curley directly via Messenger or the Hamlet of Arviat’s Facebook post.
