Listen Live

Lakeland hosts suicide crisis forum

A somber discussion was hosted at Lakeland College yesterday afternoon. The topic of the event, which filled a lecture room at the school, was the First Nations youth suicide crisis.

A panel of four experts was convened to guide students through the issue. The four were to be Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young, Albert Berland, Professor of Native Studies at Lakeland College, Verna Buffalo Calf, a prevention counselor based out of the Ekweskeet Healing Centre in Onion Lake, and Melva Tootoosis, a community intervention advocate and counsellor who works at the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre.

While only Buffalo Calf and Tootoosis were able to make it to the event, the students who filled the lecture room were able to explore a wide range of topics in relation to the crisis, such as the enduring legacy of the residential school system and its impacts on First Nation’s people across Canada, and in the local area.

According to those who participated in the event, the discussion was a positive thing to have,

“I think it’s really an important issue that people need to talk about,” said Niska Nighttraveler, a third year business student at Lakeland and a member of the Aboriginal Student Advisory Committee.

“I think it’s great that we had a panel here, and that we got to listen to some elders and some wise words from them.”

Tootoosis described her motivations for being part of the event as wanting to re-educate and rebuild First Nations communities, and to raise the importance of First Nations cultural programming being included in schools. She also went into further detail about what she had described as a paradigm shift for First Nations people.

“The paradigm shift was prophesized by our elders,” said Tootoosis.

“I’m speaking on behalf of their teachings, and what they passed on from generation to generation. We’ve gone through seven generations of darkness, and hardship, and punishment, and now we’re re-awakening, re-discovering that we’re human beings like anybody else. We’re no different, and we need a lot of support in supporting our people and helping them go through that recovery process.”

Tootoosis also indicated that building up the self-confidence of the young would be a good step forward.

More information on suicide prevention can be found here: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/promotion/mental/index-eng.php.

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Battlefords RCMP seek suspects in robbery, assualt

Battlefords RCMP seek your help to find two men who may be driving a blue four-door 2015 Hyundai Sonata car with Saskatchewan licence plate 786 LHD. The duo is suspected to be involved in a robbery, and assault.

Sask Free Fishing Weekend, Jul 12-13

The fishing just got real as Saskatchewan is opening its waters for you to cast a line without a licence this weekend, July 12-13.

Town of Wainwright has lowest cost of living in Alberta

Overall for 2024, on all items, Wainwright comes in at 92.5 meaning its about eight per cent cheaper to buy something in Wainwright compared to Edmonton. Lloydminster comes in at 94.6, meaning prices on average are about two per cent more expensive than Wainwright.

Road expansion for Cenovus Energy Hub begins July 15

If your regular commute takes you along 40 Avenue, from July 15 you will have to adjust that as Lloydminster road crews will lead road upgrades near the soon to be completed Cenovus Energy Hub.

Grace United cancels Sunday service following small fire

In the aftermath of the minor fire at Grace United Church, Lloydminster on Thursday July 3, Sunday service has been cancelled as the church deals with cleanup.
- Advertisement -