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Date: 8/2/2006
Subject: Recent Loss
Hi everyone. Glad to see y'all made it home.I saw you all in Thunder Bay, and was happy to see and hear youth in our communities have such great care for others. I have recently lost a very good friend of mine to suicide (July 27th 2006). It made me think of you guys again and I thought I would take the time to write a few lines. My Friend 'G' as some of us knew him was 33, but suicide is suicide weather you are a youth or not. He was the guy everyone knew as someone they can turn to. He was a good father, son, friend, uncle and brother. We are gonna bury him today(August 3rd). I know it's gonna be tough. As his friends and family we all carry the hurt, anger and sadness that he left behind when he left us. But yet he is still with us in all our happy memories and thoughts of him.
As a survivor of the aftermath of a suicide I would like to see the walk continue. Our youth need to know that someone cares for them whether they are white, asian, black or native. Suicide has no racial or age boundries. And our leaders need to know that suicide is a problem that can't be left unresolved. Prevention saves us all a lifetime of hurt.
As a Final word to my friend 'G':
I hope you recognize me when you meet me at the crossroads. As I will be old and grey when I start my walk! See you when I get there!
RIP MY FRIEND
Steve Johnson
Steve Johnson |
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Date: Mon, 12 June 2006
Subject: Hey walkers
Hey walkers,
i just thought i would write and say hello. i hope you injoyed coming to the badgers traditional pow wow. i am glad that you all came. My name is kim Harry and i am glad that you had a safe journey.
Take care
Kimi
Date: Fri, 26 May 2006
Subject: send this message to all the politicals
Can you please forward this message to the ministers of parliment mention of your web site. Thank you
All My Relations
1/ There needs to be a major ad campaign on all media outlets to address the facts and figures of suicide in canada
2/ There needs to be ads that speak directly about an from suicide survivors to give a really strong message of hope
3/ There needs to be a promotion of more public awareness of just how many suicides there are in this country
4/ We need to take the topic out of the closet....NOW
In honour of these children who have walked across Canada for four years for the four races I would like to see them decorated for their efforts and really acknowledge by the government of Canada and the First Nations Government
For too long this country has been in denial about the reality of the genocide thru residental schooling.
Peace and Reconilation needs to begin with and amongst First Nations and the rest of Canada
You promote so much about Canada but you need to start healing the collective past to move into the future with dignity and respect. It does not take much and you are the people to do it.
Please I speak to your hearts of compassion and across all that is sacred.
Peacewalker
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2006
Subject: yspw
Hey walkers,
my name is Natasha Patles. I met you when you spoke at the Rising Sun in Eel Ground, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your stories. I'm very proud of what you guys are doing, your presentation inspired me to want to get more involved with the youth in this community, I was very touched by your words. I had attempted suicide in the past and I thank the Creator I'm still here. Things are still rough at times, but I'll always remember your powerful messages and telling me to stay strong. Your have all been in my prayers, and will continue to be until the circle is complete. Thomas Watts asked me to do a painting, so let him know to be expecting it in the near future. :)
Yours Truely,
Natasha Patles
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006
Subject: Photos from We'komaq First Nation
Hello Suicide Prevention Walkers,
Here are a few photos I took during the suicide
prevention walk
seminar during your groups visit to our community.
Thank you for your
visit. Keep up the great and wonderful work people.
Our community has its losses from suicide and when
it came time to
sign your banner I wasn't sure whom I should
remember so I inscribed
it in memory of the 90,000,000 north american
indians that have died
in the last 500 years. I also made another
inscription but I feel that
was the best way I can sum it all up. I couldn't
just remember one
particular friend, we have all lost so many, even
though I am only 30
years young. This is a sad reality within indian
country that needs to
be addressed. Thank you for bringing more awareness
and shedding light
to the epidemic.
One can clearly see the determination and importance
of this mission
and walk in the photo I captured of Reno Trimble.
That is among my
favorite photos but I have more that I will send if
you would like
them. Just let me know.
May the creator continue to guide you all and
protect your through
your journeys.
A community member from We'komaq First Nation
Eva
Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2006
I live in Nunavut. This community is predominantly Inuit, although I am white. I am a teacher here. There have been a few suicides here, and many attempts in the past few years. I lost someone very close to me, and very dear to my heart not very long ago.... with no warning.. no one knew what they were thinking until after. It's frightening when I think about all we try to do to educate kids, and give them skills and tools to have happy lives and make good choices, and then I think about our recent loss, and I don't understand why they felt so alone that they couldn't talk to someone about help, and I get so sad, and I just feel like a piece of me is missing...and it just breaks my heart...
So... I wanted to pass on a message of thanks, and support to the walkers and organizers, and to say that I would like to help in any way I can.
Teacher, Nunavut
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006
Hi,
I have three sons, I lost a son by suicide on November 8th 2005. I did not know anything about suicide and since then, I have been looking for information and I came across the YSPW site. I am trying to get other people interested in the walk and I want to let each family I know across Canada about the walk. I want to know for myself because I feel a little less sad and a bit more hopeful thinking about the walkers and following their course across Canada. I want to do whatever I can to help Martin’s brothers and to educate people so that other families might avoid the tragedy that our family has experienced.
 Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2006 (view larger photo)
This is "Spirit of Peace" the first white buffalo born in Canada on 17th April 2005. He only lived 45 days but in that time he walked on mother earth he taught us so much love.
In honor of these native youth who are walking and who have walked for four years across Canada for four years to highlight the plight of suicide.
Our prayers for our children are too short and everyday our children get left behind.
In honour of these ones who have started this walk on 14th March 2006 on the east coast.
I am asking the government of this country to match funds with miles that these children will cover.
I watched them walk in 2003. I am an old woman and I marvelled at the distances the youth covered every day
I saw the sweat and tears I heard their stories and I witnessed the power of this healing journey. These kids are role models and their story needs to get out big time. This is a very important journey.
These young people are amazing and Reno Trimble needs to be awarded some special medal for his personal efforts. I am calling on you elected officials in Ottawa to really pull out all stops and stand tall with these children and honor their incrediable efforts.
Please let this government pay special homage to this walk. Please get your media to cover the journey.
Spirit of Peace was born in Canada to honor these children who are walking for the hundreds who are dead.
In hope
Peacewalker
 
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