In 2016 the remote Canadian Cree First Nations community of Attawapiskat became synonymous with despair after a suicide crisis grabbed the attention of the global media. While complex challenges exist, many aspects of life in Attawapiskat were largely overlooked: the enduring bonds of community, a connection to the land, the resurrection of traditional practices and human will. By focusing only on the most destitute and deplorable conditions for the sake of furthering a media driven narrative, the divide grows and little room is left for healing and understanding. Through sound and visuals this work presents an abstract counterpoint to that narrative.

This project was supported by a grant from the Pulitzer Centre on Crisis Reporting.

Attawapiskat, Ontario, Canada. The Northern lights, almost overpowering in their physical beauty, fill the night sky over Attawapiskat. Cree legends state that the lights are spirits of the ancestors celebrating life and showing the living that they are all part of creation. Their dancing forms a laneway for the souls as they travel to the next realm. It is said that when Cree are living the right way and conducting ceremonies and dances, the spirits of Cree ancestors celebrate in the heavens. Attawapiskat is an isolated First Nation community located in northern Ontario, Canada, at the mouth of the Attawapiskat River on James Bay. On April 9, 2016, the community of approximately 2000 people declared a state of emergency after being overwhelmed with attempted suicides, over 100 attempts in a ten month period. August 27, 2016. David Maurice Smith/Oculi.
Attawapiskat, Ontario, Canada. Young people gather at dusk outside the Kattawapiskak Elementary School. The suicide crisis that came to light in 2016 was largely impacting youth with the majority of the attempts amongst teenagers. One elder in the community cited a growing disconnect between traditional ways and the younger generation, amplified by the many challenges associated with living in a remote community. "It is important now for young people to understand the colonial policies that have left their communities disconnected" she said. "Only if they can understand what people went through can they articulate why their lives may be in chaos.". . Attawapiskat is an isolated First Nation community located in northern Ontario, Canada, at the mouth of the Attawapiskat River on James Bay. On April 9, 2016, the community of approximately 2000 people declared a state of emergency after being overwhelmed with attempted suicides, over 100 attempts in a ten month period. August 20, 2016. David Maurice Smith/Oculi.
Attawapiskat, Ontario, Canada. Young people play at a statue of the Virgin Mary near the St. Francois-xavier Catholic Church on the shores of the Attawapiskat river. The community has a complicated history with the Catholic church with many of its members subjected to horrible abuses while in the Catholic run residential school system. Attawapiskat is an isolated First Nation community located in northern Ontario, Canada, at the mouth of the Attawapiskat River on James Bay. On April 9, 2016, the community of approximately 2000 people declared a state of emergency after being overwhelmed with attempted suicides, over 100 attempts in a ten month period. October 7, 2016. David Maurice Smith/Oculi.

David Maurice Smith

David Maurice Smith is a Canadian photographer whose work is informed by a previous career in social services in which he supported communities and individuals in crisis.

His images have been recognized in the International Photography Awards, The American Photography Awards, The Amnesty International Media Awards and The Walkley Awards and in 2016 David was awarded a grant from the Pulitzer Centre on Crisis Reporting. His work has been shown at Photoville, The Delhi Photo Festival, Visa Pour l’Image-Perpignan International Festival of Photojournalism, Angkor Photo Festival, Contact Photography Festival, PhotoIreland, PhotoJourn Festival and the Obscura Festival of Photography.

David has been a member of the Oculi Collective since 2012 and his clients include TIME, The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, Mother Jones, The Wall Street Journal and National Geographic.