Suicide prevention walk finishes

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On June 17, four days ahead of schedule, eight Nanaimo youths who left that city on April 1 walked into the city of Ottawa and arrived at the legislative buildings. Their aim had been to arrive on June 21, National Aboriginal Awareness Day.

The purpose of the First Nation youths was to raise awareness of youth suicide and to help prevent a problem that takes 250 lives each year.

The youths walked through 100 First Nations communities. President of the group, Vincent Watts, said, "We were very well received and we made a difference. We saved two young people's lives along the way."

In Ottawa they met with Health Minister Anne McLellan who promised to come to Nanaimo to meet with the youths this summer. They also met with Matthew Coon Come, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

The youths are expected back in Nanaimo June 29, at which time the real work will begin, media organizer Paul Lalibert said.

"We want to raise enough funds to build a building outside of Nanaimo, somewhere in the woods where youth can come ... where there is a 24-hour line with Elders and trained staff. That is our hope and our dream."