Tom Jackson tours for suicide prevention

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Actor Tom Jackson has taken on another worthy cause. Known for his show called the Huron Carol which raises thousands of dollars for Canadian food banks each year, Jackson has embarked on a campaign for suicide awareness.

For the last two years Jackson has visited more than 65 communities across Canada with his show called the Dreamcatcher Tour. Jackson created the tour after 19-year-old fellow actor Mervin Good Eagle committed suicide on Oct. 23, 1996. Jackson and the rest of the crew from the television series North of 60 were devastated.

"When we first started to organize this tour a lot of the communities we contacted were in mourning because they had teen suicides," said Jackson. "Having gone through something like that with someone from the set of North of 60, we have some idea of what the feeling on suicide is all about," he said.

In Edmonton on April 28, Jackson, along with country singers Lisa Brokop and Duane Steele, had a sold-out performance at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre.

"This is my second year doing this show with Tom. This year we are doing 25 shows across Canada," said Steele. "It is going really well. It is good that you come into the communities and you can leave them with a good zest for life again," he said.

The tour is funded by Health Canada, Canadian Heritage, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Nova Corporation, Petro Canada, Royal Bank and others. Proceeds from the concerts will remain in the communities to help with youth and social programs.

During one of his speeches on stage, Jackson talks about an ABC prevention method when contemplating suicide.

"A is talking about your problems; B is recognizing that someone can do something about it; C, the final step is to actually do something that will help," said Jackson. "It is important for communities to talk about this issue. Most of the communities have the same question, 'what do we do?' "

Pamphlets, telephone numbers for help lines, and a video titled "The Trauma of Suicide, Voices of Hope" was handed out after the show. The video, which is produced by Jackson, is narrated by a number of Elders, Grand Chief Phil Fontaine and Jackson. The video also features a dancer, a drum song and a number of youth.

To order copies of the video contact Aline Dirks of Health Canada at 613-957-7712.