Hope thrives in the youth of the Okanagan Nation

The new generation of Aboriginal youth shows bold initiative by unburdening themselves from centuries-long grievous statistics.

It has been a painfully well-known fact that the rate of youth suicide in Aboriginal communities exceeds that of the non-Aboriginal population.

According to Statistics Canada, suicide is the major killer of young Aboriginal people after accidents. As far as many youth are concerned, the time has come for positive change.

The youth from the Okanagan Nation Alliance have exhibited leadership in this cause. In April, they heightened awareness about Aboriginal youth suicide by participating in the Second Annual Spirit of Syilx Youth Unity Run.

The 230 km run took place April 22 to April 25 in the northern part of the Okanagan Nation territory.

About 200 youth, parents, community members, community workers, and 10 RCMP joined in this year’s run.

The run is conducted in a relay format to encourage participation from people at every level of fitness and mobility. Despite rain, sleet and snow on the second day of the run, the participants persevered.

“I’ll run even when I’m older,” said Justin George. “This year we had even more runners. It’s great. It’s also fun, not just serious. Every year it’s a blast.”

George spoke after having canoed with other local youth as they prepare for a canoeing journey along the coast of Vancouver Island in July.

The Spirit of Syilx Run is the result of a collaboration between the Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) and member bands, the University of British Columbia—Okanagan Aboriginal Education Program, the First Nations Health Council, and the RCMP Foundation.

The idea for the run came from the youth themselves, who wanted to be proactive in taking on the issues of youth suicide, substance abuse, and family violence. In order to make it possible the youth received tremendous support from local Elders, the ONA and band leadership, the Okanagan Nation Crisis Response Team, the R’Native Voice coordinator, the RCMP, and their parents.

“I notice changes in the kids I work with,” said Amanda Montgomery, coordinator of the ONA educational youth program, R’Native Voice. As a result of their participation in the run, Amanda noted, “they talk about [suicide] and have awareness about it and their peers and their families and community.”

The R’Native Voice Program provides community-based 12-week-long modules dealing with issues ranging from substance abuse prevention, coping with racism, and learning about Syilx culture and values.

One of the participants in both the R’Native Voice and the run, Amber Cardenas, spoke enthusiastically about the benefits she has received from her involvement.

“Not all of us come from strong culturally-oriented families. It [culture] grounds me and gives me a sense that I don’t have to do drugs and drink to be happy. It’s like a cultural revolution right now in our communities. It’s like the culture is coming back strongly because we want it.”

During the run local Elders opened and concluded each day with prayers and talks about culture. The first day of the run commenced with opening ceremonies led by Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Chief Jonathon Kruger.
Chiefs Tim Manuel and Clarence Louie showed their support by joining in the run for approximately two km each.

For many Aboriginal youth, being engaged in culture can have a powerful and positive influence.

In a recent study by Michael J. Chandler and Christopher E. LaLonde entitled “Cultural Continuity as a Protective Factor Against Youth Suicide in First Nations Youth,” cultural identity was deemed to have a significant correlation to the incidence of youth suicide in Aboriginal communities.

The study compared rates of suicide between the 200 B.C. bands and the non-Aboriginal population during the years 1987 and 2000. They found the suicide rate in the First Nation communities to be more than double the provincial average.

The study then analyzed the rate of suicide in each B.C. band while taking into account the extent to which each band displayed “cultural continuity” (based on eight criterions). The study revealed that the bands with the highest level of cultural continuity had no youth suicides during that time frame, while those with none of the eight criterions suffered epidemic levels of suicide.

Many factors contribute to a young person taking their life. Education, information, safe surroundings, preventative activities, and communication are critical for reducing the incidence of youth suicide.

Events like the run are useful for bringing awareness to youth suicide and to inform youth about the resources available in the community.

The Okanagan youth would like to see the run spread to other communities with the hope that it could one day be a national event.

Statistics can change and together, the youth, families, and communities are turning around youth suicide statistics in Aboriginal communities.

When asked what they would want to say to another youth who might be considering suicide, Justin George said “don’t do it because you have a lot to offer the world, and even if you’re down, keep getting up.”

Amber Cardenas added, “talk to a friend you really trust, or an Elder, because so many people want to help but you might not realize it.”

Help is always available. If you do not know who to talk to, you can always call the Kids Helpline at 1-800-668-6868.