'Much love' from Edmonton: Youth pen letters to Attawapiskat

"To our young brothers and sisters in Attawapiskat."

That's how manymembers of anEdmonton youth group calledCipher5begintheir letters.

The team of young rappers and hip-hop artists meets regularly to share verses with each other. On Tuesday, they met to write verses of support for youth in Attawapiskat instead.

A rash of suicide attempts hit the First Nations community in remote Ontario, prompting a local state of emergency.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegardecalled for long-term support after 11 people in Attawapiskat, mostly youth, attempted suicide in one April weekend. Another 28 people had already attempted suicide in March.

Andre Hamilton, the organizer of Cipher5, says suicide is an issuethe groupcan relate to. That's why its membersresponded to Bellegarde's call for helpwith a bundle of letters.

"All the youth hereand young adults, are all fighting the same fight," Hamiltonsays.

"We're all going to author a letter of heartfelt support, encouragement and our own personal insights that might spark even just one youth if it gives them something to trudge on one more day."

Hamilton says the circle of youth in Cipher5are word-smiths whouse rap and hip hop to cope with their own pasts. That's why he wanted themto sendwords of solidarityto youth inAttawapiskat.

Kayla Chantellesays she wants her letter to reach anotheryoung aboriginal woman.

"Our girls really need to realize how important life is," Chantelle says."We have the ability to give life and we need to continue that and not take away our own lives. And if I can reach someone with that, that would be pretty awesome."

Chantelle's friend, Angel Morningstar, sits next to her and nods.

"These people are literally begging for help right now," she says. "We need to give them that attention and we need to show them that we as a Canadian people stand together and that we support them and that they will get through this."

@ZoeHTodd