An Ontario businessman says he's looking for new ways to support Indigenous people in Canada after revoking his offer to donate to a remote First Nation's suicide prevention plan.

Wapekeka First Nation recently went public about David Slabodkin's decision to pull back from his $380,000 to the community.

Slobodkin made the offer anonymously after two girls, both 12 years old, died by suicide in January. Wapekeka released his name to CBC News this week after the deal soured.

"I am currently exploring new means to donate ongoing funds in support of Aboriginal community needs in Canada," Slabodkin said in an email to CBC News.

David Slabodkin says he's looking for ways to redirect money he originally pledged to Wapekeka First Nation. (seracommunityventures.com) After he heard about the suicides, Slabodkin immediately sent $30,000 to Wapekeka which was used to pay for a mental health counsellor. He also offered to fund the First Nation's $380,000 plan for suicide prevention.

But Slabodkin said when he learned Health Canada had stepped up to pay for the suicide prevention plan, he changed his plan and will not be sending the $380,000 to the First Nation.

"I made a decision to redirect funds to the needs of other First Nations in Canada confronted with similar issues as was Wapekeka," he said in the email.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Wapekeka said the community is in "recovery mode," with several children still away from home in different parts of the country where they have access to mental health care not available in the First Nation.

Wapekeka is a fly-in First Nation, located about 600 kilometres north of Thunder Bay. The community's website lists a population of 363.