Now in it's fifth year, the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Walk for Life takes place May 5 in Sioux Lookout, Ont.
The walk was started by Norma Kejick, a Lac Seul band member, whose nephew Eric had committed suicide. Facing a lot of questions too difficult to answer, Kejick felt she had to do something to help her family and others affected by suicide. She made it her mission to save youth who are thinking about committing suicide.
"Once someone asked me "how long are you planning to do this?"; Kejick said. "Until I can't walk anymore, because I can't stop...I won't stop."
The walk will start at 10 a.m. across from the Canadian Legion on Front St. and will make its way to Queen Elizabeth District High School. A balloon release will then take place outside the school followed by a light snack and a presentation from the keynote speaker Georgina Williams in the school's gymnasium.
The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program was established in 1994, when a teenager, Michael "Mustang Mike" Emme, had committed suicide. His family started the campaign to let others know they should ask for help when needed. Kejick brought the campaign to Sioux Lookout region to promote awareness around suicide prevention.
Attawapiskat First Nation is my home community and it was where I was born and raised with my family.
Attawapiskat First Nation is my home community and it was where I was born and raised with my family. When I think about where I grew up, I feel like I came...
My father Marius Kataquapit, a hunter, trapper and traditional person from the remote Attawapiskat First Nation could understand the English language but...