VANCOUVER – Aboriginal babies in British Columbia are four-time more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome than other infants, and health officials are taking steps to cut those tragic numbers.

The horrible statistics sparked a working group involving the federal and provincial governments and the First Nations Health Authority, with input from First Nations to develop a culturally-appropriate safe sleeping training initiative.

Now an education toolkit has been launched to try to reduce the risk of SIDS and sudden unexplained death in infancy among First Nations communities.

The toolkit called, “Honouring Our Babies: Safe Sleep Cards and Guide,” includes discussion cards that incorporate cultural beliefs, practices and issues specific to aboriginal communities.

Health Minister Terry Lake says the SIDS rate among First Nations families in B.C. is heartbreaking and as a province, we need to find a way to ensure babies aren’t at risk.

SIDS is the sudden, unexpected death of a baby under a year old without a clear cause, and usually happens when the baby is sleeping.