Legislature(2013 - 2014)BARNES 124
02/13/2014 08:00 AM House COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
| Audio | Topic |
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| Start | |
| Presentation: Community Suicide Prevention | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
February 13, 2014
8:11 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, Co-Chair
Representative Benjamin Nageak, Co-Chair
Representative Neal Foster
Representative Bob Herron
Representative Harriet Drummond
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Kurt Olson
Representative Lora Reinbold
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: COMMUNITY SUICIDE PREVENTION
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
BILL CHARLES, Qungasvik Co-Investigator
Center for Alaska Native Health Research
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Emmonak, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a presentation of the Qungasvik
Project.
STACY RASMUS, PhD, Research Assistant Professor
Center for Alaska Native Health Research
Institute of Arctic Biology
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided a presentation of the Qungasvik
Project.
JOSIE EDMUND, Prevention Coordinator
People Awakening Project
Alakanuk, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided information on the Qungasvik
project in Alakanuk.
DESIREE JOE, Youth Participant
People Awakening Project
Alakanuk, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Related how the Qungasvik project helped
her mother and family.
ROY BELL, Hooper Bay Qungasvik Prevention Coordinator
Hooper Bay, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed the Hooper Bay Qungasvik project.
JOSEPH BELL, Mayor
Hooper Bay
Hooper Bay, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the presentation, provided comments.
TOW MANN, Youth
Hooper Bay, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the presentation, related his
perspective as a youth participant in the Qungasvik Project in
Hooper Bay.
BEN NUKUSUK, Healthy Families Coordinator
Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP)
Hooper Bay, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the presentation, provided
information as a Healthy Families Coordinator and resident who
has personally been impacted by suicide.
WILMA BELL-JOE, Member
Building Initiatives in Rural Community Health (BIRCH)
AmeriCorps Program
Rural Alaska Community Action Program RurAL CAP
Hooper Bay, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: During the presentation, discussed the
BIRCH program and her experience with suicide.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:11:27 AM
CO-CHAIR BENJAMIN NAGEAK called the House Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 8:11 a.m.
Representatives LeDoux and Nageak were present at the call to
order. Representatives Drummond, Foster, and Herron arrived as
the meeting was in progress.
^Presentation: Community Suicide Prevention
Presentation: Community Suicide Prevention
8:12:08 AM
CO-CHAIR NAGEAK announced that the only order of business would
be a presentation of Community Suicide Prevention: Qungasvik
Projects. He acknowledged that it's difficult to talk about
suicide, but expressed the need to discuss suicide and relate
one's experiences with suicide as suicide doesn't know one's
station in life. He then related that his son committed
suicide, which he thinks about daily and reinforces the need to
discuss suicide.
8:16:01 AM
BILL CHARLES, Qungasvik Co-Investigator, Center for Alaska
Native Health Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks, began by
introducing Joseph Bell, elder and mayor of Hooper Bay. He
explained that the presentation will relate how an indigenous
structure is being built to combat disparities [such as
suicide].
8:17:45 AM
STACY RASMUS, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Center for
Alaska Native Health Research, Institute of Arctic Biology,
University of Alaska Fairbanks, said that the presentation today
will focus on what is working in the communities in terms of
strengths and survival strategies to combat some of the issues
youth face. She then directed attention to a document entitled
"Qungasvik Projects: 2013 Legislative Update" for which the
youth [from Hooper Bay] designed the cover. She said there
would be discussion regarding how researchers are partnering
with communities to help provide evidence that Alaska Native
cultural and traditional practices are effective in terms of
helping to prevent suicide, increase reasons for living, and
create healthy young people. The aforementioned allows
communities to build programming and services around traditional
modalities. Dr. Rasmus then informed the committee that she is
a Lummi tribal member from Washington State who has lived in
Alaska for over 15 years. She noted that she continues to work
with her tribes in the Pacific Northwest while working with the
tribes in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta region on issues related to
youth and the creation of healthy youth and communities. The
aforementioned, she opined, is very important to her,
particularly since it saved her life, people, culture,
traditions, and can continue to do so.
8:22:10 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX asked if Dr. Rasmus grew up on a reservation.
DR. RASMUS answered that although she grew up on a reservation,
her father was non Native so she experienced going between the
city and the reservation, which she characterized as a struggle
as well as a benefit.
MR. CHARLES explained that Dr. Rasmus lived in the Alaska Native
communities when she was doing her work and he considered her a
resident of the communities.
8:23:33 AM
DR. RASMUS emphasized that although there is a tendency to focus
on what's not working for and the problems of Native peoples,
she wanted to discuss the strength and healing that is happening
in Alaska. She said she would discuss the social movement
toward the strengths, healing, and identification of what's good
about being Native as well as why it's necessary to protect and
support traditional ways. Dr. Rasmus told the committee that
this movement began in Alakanuk, residents of which will share
their story today. With the support of committee members and
the state, the effort has grown to include four other
communities. Today, residents of Hooper Bay are in attendance
and will also share transformational experiences and the data to
support that youth are changing because of the work in the
community. Both Alakanuk and Hooper Bay are known throughout
the state as communities that have been devastated by suicide.
However, today the community residents will share stories of
hope and healing. There will also be a review of the Qungasvik
model, which is a Yup'ik process that is a community-level
prevention effort. Dr. Rasmus then directed attention to a
slide illustrating the disparities in alcohol abuse and suicide
rates for Alaska Natives, including young Alaska Natives, in
particular young Alaska Native men. She then informed the
committee that young Alaska Native women, age 15-24, experience
an exponentially higher rate of attempted suicides and being
hospitalizations at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute.
8:27:49 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX asked if the suicide rate itself is
exponentially higher or just the attempts. She then inquired as
to whether Dr. Rasmus reads anything into the difference between
the attempts versus the actual outcomes.
DR. RASMUS presented a slide that illustrates the prevalence of
completed suicides per gender and race. The slide relates that
young Alaska Native males have a higher rate of completion of
suicide. However, data from Alaska's Bureau of Vital Statistics
relates that the rate of Alaska Native females who have been
hospitalized from lethal attempts is the highest. In further
response to Co-Chair LeDoux, Dr. Rasmus opined that the
aforementioned information means that the issue of suicide
crosscuts gender, race, and age. She clarified, however, that
this doesn't mean that only Alaska Native males are the focus
but rather that the issues impact youth of both genders.
Suicide is a complex issue, she emphasized, as it's difficult to
separate out other factors, such as substance abuse, thoughts,
actions, and self-harm behavior.
8:29:39 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX asked, with respect to women, whether the
suicide attempts are a cry for help as opposed to actually
wanting to complete the suicide.
DR. RASMUS emphasized that it's all a cry for help.
MR. CHARLES added that [attempted suicides illustrate that]
something is missing.
DR. RASMUS pointed out that substance abuse is also a cry for
help as it's another form of self-harm. Substance abuse, like
suicide, is a symptom.
8:30:32 AM
DR. RASMUS, continuing her presentation, informed the committee
that in 1988 a Pulitzer prize winning series entitled "A People
in Peril" featured the community of Alakanuk. Historically,
Alakanuk has suffered from epidemic levels of suicide and short
periods of time during which clusters of [suicide] occurred to
the degree that entire generations were lost. The series
created a lot of attention on the state and the thought that the
rate at the time would result in [Alaska Natives] being gone.
The aforementioned led to a summit of Alaska Native leaders in
1992 during which they acknowledged the suffering from issues
but also stressed there are strong people in their communities
who have the knowledge and teachings to bring back the strong
and healthy ways. The [Alaska Native leaders] emphasized that
they are not a vanishing and dying people as they have passion
for life and so much for which to live. Therefore, the leaders
said they wanted to learn more about how to use and follow the
[tenets] of those Alaska Natives who are living healthy lives
and don't commit suicide. The aforementioned call to action was
supported by the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN). Dr. Rasmus
stressed that the majority of young Alaska Natives don't commit
suicide but rather lead healthy lives and become amazing
leaders, and thus the question became how to do that. The
aforementioned resulted in the People Awakening Project, which
is how she was first connected with the Yup'ik communities of
Alakanuk and Emmonak. The project sought to interview
individuals to identify sources and strategies of strength that
could be highlighted and supported through prevention efforts.
The People Awakening Project described a model of protection and
recovery. The model of protection has now come to inform the
culturally based prevention work in Alakanuk. In the Qungasvik
the protective factors are identified and there is a model
regarding how to teach them and the process by which the
strengths and protections are built into young people such that
there is an increase in the reasons to live. Through a
community initiated effort, the Qungasvik was developed.
8:35:49 AM
DR. RASMUS related that in 2002 she was a village clinical
supervisor for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) and
in that capacity helped serve Alakanuk. She noted that she
thought she knew [the situation] since she had grown up on a
reservation, but she encountered something she had never seen;
Alakanuk had lost 11 young people in an 18-month period.
8:36:15 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX asked if there is a statistically significant
difference in the suicide rate among those who live on a
reservation and others.
DR. RASMUS related that while living on the Lummi reservation
she didn't see suicides but rather saw a lot of drug overdoses.
However, she acknowledged that there are reservations with
[severe suicide problems]. She reiterated the complexity of
suicide, and pointed out that there are villages in Alaska where
there isn't the clustering of suicides.
8:38:06 AM
DR. RASMUS, returning to her presentation, informed the
committee that in the early 2000s another cluster of suicides
was occurring in Alakanuk. However, at this point the people in
the community came together. In fact, the tribal administrator
asked her what is going on with the youth in Alakanuk to which
she suggested the community seek answers from its members. Dr.
Rasmus said she then returned to UAF to work on the question and
help support the community in its own process. Alakanuk was
ready, evidenced by the steps it was already taking to address
suicide by the time the university arrived with funding from the
National Institutes of Health to help them grow their effort and
create the Qungasvik. Dr. Rasmus highlighted the key difference
with the community of Alakanuk was that it asked for help.
8:39:58 AM
JOSIE EDMUND, Prevention Coordinator, People Awakening Project,
presented a slide with Alakanuk elders who met regarding why the
community was going through such a difficult time. Although the
meetings began with just a few elders, the numbers grew as they
continued to meet. The name of the Qungasvik project in
Alakanuk is Elluam Tungiinun Egelruciq Ikayuulluta Agauytmek,
which means "Movement towards wellness together with the help of
God." She then shared a slide with a photograph of a community
meeting during which there were discussions about the issues and
possible solutions. She next shared a photograph of the
Qungasvik activities in which the men sit in a circle, which is
what the ancestors did to teach life skills. This particular
activity was related to gender roles and life skills. The
meeting began with both genders and then they split into groups
by gender.
8:42:03 AM
DESIREE JOE, Youth Participant, People Awakening Project,
related that when the Elluam Tungiinun project began she was one
of the many young people who joined the group. She further
related that at that time she had a difficult family life
because her mother contemplated suicide and talked to her about
it. She explained that she was a child who didn't listen to her
parents or grandparents, but the program helped her to learn to
respect them. She said the program helped her a lot as she
related what the elders would say to her mother; she continued
to talk with and listen to her mother. Although, as time
passed, her mother began to say everything would be alright, Ms.
Joe would still wake scared that her mother wouldn't be there
when she woke, which was so difficult. Ms. Joe concluded by
relating how thankful she is for the program, which she opined
helps everyone including those who don't attend because others
can relate the information. The program, Ms. Joe emphasized,
certainly helper her mother and family.
8:46:31 AM
MS. EDMUND said [the community] was always afraid as it didn't
know what would come about or who would be next. When community
members met as a group, bonds were forged between everyone,
including the elders and the youth. The bonds and relationships
made it easier to share what people were going through, have
support, and learn how to be self-sufficient by learning the
cultural ways. Furthermore, this all provided people with
confidence and a sense of their Alaska Native identity, which
[is evidenced in their physical presence as well]. Ms. Edmund
then shared a photograph of a qasgiq during which the importance
of the ayaruq, the walking stick was taught. The walking stick
discussion includes how it can save lives in terms of the life
paths chosen. In a photograph showing a girl's Kuspuk making
class, Ms. Edmund highlighted a young woman who lost her mother
but continued to make her Kuspuk by hand. She then shared a
photograph in which Hooper Bay was in attendance to learn the
process used during Alakanuk qasgiq meetings so that Hooper Bay
can make it its own.
8:50:21 AM
DR. RASMUS informed the committee that Alakanuk's program has
been in place since 2006. Through research at UAF outcomes have
been tracked. The communities have tracked their own outcomes
and come together to discuss the changes they have observed in
the communities. Dr. Rasmus reminded the committee that three
years ago she and Mr. Charles came before the committee to
discuss those outcomes and celebrate that it had been four years
since Alakanuk cast the spirit of suicide from the community.
However, the process is ongoing and the community needs to
remain vigilant and continue the work in order to include new
generations of young people and elders. Some of the elders who
participated at the beginning can no longer participate, but
their teachings were preserved through this program. Dr. Rasmus
noted that Ms. Edmund was an amazing instructor and parent
leader who has now become the training coordinator for the
Alakanuk project.
8:52:59 AM
DR. RASMUS then turned to the community of Hooper Bay, which she
and Mr. Charles first visited in 2012 with lots of hope and
expectations. The meeting was very much like the first meeting
in Alakanuk; during the first meeting in Hooper Bay attendants
related the community was ready to address the issue and had
already identified resources and strengths, but just needed
support.
8:54:49 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX inquired as to the economic situation in
Alakanuk and Hooper Bay.
8:55:04 AM
ROY BELL, Hooper Bay Qungasvik Prevention Coordinator, specified
that the employment opportunities in Hooper Bay are very
limited. In fact, the only jobs available are through the city,
tribe, schools, or the local clinic.
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX asked if the lack of job opportunities has
anything to do with the depression that leads to suicides.
MR. BELL answered yes and no.
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER informed the committee that Hooper Bay,
Alakanuk, Emmonak, and all the communities in the Wade-Hampton
census area are considered the most economically challenged, in
terms of income levels, in the state. Suicide, he emphasized,
is such a complex issue and certainly [the lack of economic
opportunities] is part of it.
8:56:44 AM
MR. BELL related that the project name for Hooper Bay is
"Civuliamta Picirayarait," which means "Our ancestral way of
life." Although Naparyarmiut, the Yup'ik name for Hooper Bay,
means "trees," there are no trees in Hooper Bay. However, he
recalled learning from the stories of his father and
grandparents that [those in Hooper Bay] are warriors who, like
trees, stand tall, strong, and together. The aforementioned is
the message being passed on to the youth in the area. He then
shared a photograph of elders, Yup'ik teachers, and a teacher's
aide who met with the principal to relate that they want to be
part of the education of the Hooper Bay youth. Therefore, they
began working with the Yup'ik teachers. He also shared
photographs of meetings, meetings much like those held in
Alakanuk, with the elders and youth regarding gender roles in
the community. While sharing photographs of jigging hooks the
youth made and the youth ice fishing with the jigging hooks
afterwards, Mr. Bell explained that not only are the youth in
Hooper Bay being taught life skills, they are being taught
subsistence hunting and gathering as well as ice, gun, and boat
safety and survival skills including landmarks. The next
photograph he shared was of the local youth group, which is
named the Native survivors. He noted that the youth group, for
the first time, was involved in the annual Louie Bunyan Memorial
Festival. Mr. Bell shared a photograph of the winter games held
in Hooper Bay. He pointed out that like Alakanuk, Hooper Bay
explains the many uses of the ayaruq, walking stick, including
how it can save your life. The last photograph he shared was of
the entrance to the Youth and Elder Center in Hooper Bay, which
uses photos to relate the history of the area. In response to
Co-Chair LeDoux, he stated that the population of Hooper Bay is
1,244.
9:04:16 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON inquired as to when Hooper Bay realized it
was ready [for help].
MR. BELL related youth have been learning to gather beach grass
as Hooper Bay it's known for its baskets, greens and eggs from
the Tundra, clams, and fishing. In response to Co-Chair Nageak,
Mr. Bell said Hooper Bay has been using [the Qungasvik program]
for three to four years.
DR. RASMUS related that during the initial meetings with the
Hooper Bay tribal administrator and other leaders, they said
they were ready because they had enough [of the suicides].
Furthermore, it was the first time when all of the community
entities were came together.
MR. CHARLES added that the leaders of Hooper Bay had heard
stories of various programs, but didn't pay too much attention
to them because they saw programs come and go with the funding.
However, during that [initial] meeting with the administration,
the discussion of the Qungasvik seemed to resonate with one of
the vice chiefs who said a meeting of the leaders should be
called.
9:07:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON recalled the large fire that started by
the school [in Hooper Bay] and asked if that caused the
community to come together to discuss the situation and have an
awareness that the community had enough. Representative Herron
recalled that when the fire occurred he was working for Alaska's
congressional delegation and when visiting Hooper Bay it was
striking to him that at that time Hooper Bay, one of the larger
communities in the area, was forced to contemplate its future.
He commented that it's remarkable that Hooper Bay has come so
far.
9:09:08 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX inquired as to what Representative Herron meant
by his statement that Hooper Bay was forced to come together.
REPRESENTATIVE HERRON explained that the fire in Hooper Bay
could've been catastrophic due to the nearby fuel tanks. He
said he was questioning whether the near catastrophe was the
reason Hooper Bay decided to change.
9:10:28 AM
MR. BELL, continuing the presentation, reiterated that the
residents of Hooper Bay are warriors and one of the hunting
tools is the yo-yo. He then shared a photograph of youth being
taught how to make yo-yos and how they are used for playing and
hunting. Hooper Bay has a lot of history and the youth in
Hooper Bay are being taught that history. In fact, youth have
been boated to various historic sites, including the site of the
famous footprints of the ancestors of Hooper Bay.
9:12:53 AM
JOSEPH BELL, Mayor, Hooper Bay, began by noting that being mayor
has been a learning experience, one he said he took on because
community members encouraged him to do so and since no others
stepped forward. He then related gratefulness for Dr. Rasmus
and Mr. Charles and what they have brought to Hooper Bay, the
oldest subsistence village with a population of 250. He shared
a photograph of the location of the footprints of his ancestors.
MR. BELL informed the committee that stories of Hooper Bay's
history are told in the center as well as the location in the
story. He then shared a photograph of youth digging for clay to
make clay pots.
MAYOR BELL, referring to a photograph, recalled learning from
his elders how to make sod houses and fire bath sod houses. He
also discussed using the clay to make items that the ancestors
used to make from it.
9:21:15 AM
MR. BELL informed the committee that every year the community
received new teachers who don't understand the Yup'ik way of
life. Therefore, a community potluck for the teachers is held
in order to welcome the teachers and to show them who the
residents of Hooper Bay are and how they live.
9:21:48 AM
CO-CHAIR LEDOUX asked if the teachers ever stay in Hooper Bay.
MR. BELL answered that there are teachers who stay year after
year while others don't stay.
9:22:24 AM
MAYOR BELL then shared a photograph of youth making black fish
traps, taluyat. He emphasized his desire for youth to learn how
to make actual/real tools, not toys, and use them. The youth
used the black fish traps to catch black fish and then
distributed them to the elders in the community.
9:24:45 AM
MR. BELL then shared photographs of the youth making Kuspuks,
dipnetting, and learning how to drum and dance. The interest in
these activities from the youth has been increasing, he pointed
out as he shared a photograph of the Hooper Bay Traditional
Youth Dancers.
9:25:38 AM
TOW MANN, Youth, related that originally he was one of only two
youth involved with the drumming, but once the word spread more
youth, drummers and dancers, became involved. As more youth
participated daily, the faces of the youth "lifted," he said.
9:26:31 AM
CO-CHAIR NAGEAK remarked that [Alaska Native] youth [throughout
the state] are becoming more interested and involved with making
and playing drums and dancing. He expressed his pleasure in
this return to the basics of [the Alaska Native culture] by the
youth as it's a way in which to heal and pass on traditions.
9:27:41 AM
MR. BELL highlighted that youth are not only taught about tools
for subsistence hunting but also about healthy relationships,
taking care of oneself, and goals and dreams. Mr. Bell
explained that he relates to the youth the steps he took to
attend college in Los Angeles and the experiences he had
accomplishing his goals.
9:28:11 AM
DR. RASMUS reminded the committee that Hooper Bay's program
began in 2012 and the community has come together as it has
continued to work on the program. She highlighted that the
committee packet should include the data illustrating that the
community and its youth are already changing and need to
continue to build on that. She then pointed out the large
number of people from Hooper Bay present to illustrate their
commitment to the program.
9:30:22 AM
BEN NUKUSUK, Healthy Families Coordinator, Association of
Village Council Presidents (AVCP), related that for many years
suicide was something to which the community became accustomed.
However, the community came together to work with Dr. Rasmus and
Mr. Charles, both of which he characterized as a blessing. Last
year, folks worked hard in their individual jobs as well as
together as a coalition. He noted that his specialty is talking
with 9th-12th grade students, which is the age group that most
often commits suicide. The community is taking a strong stand
and doing what it can to stem the [suicide trends]. Mr. Nukusuk
opined that [the program] has made the biggest difference as
evidenced by no suicides in Hooper Bay in 2013. He related the
story of his 14-year-old nephew's suicide and the impact it had
on his mother. Mr. Nukusuk emphasized that suicide is
preventable. He said he relates to the 9th-12th graders that
there is no problem on this planet that is cause to commit
suicide. Furthermore, there are people who care and help is
available.
9:37:07 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER mentioned that he was in Hooper Bay during
the suicide of Mr. Nukusuk's nephew in 2010, which really
brought the issue of suicide to the forefront for him.
9:37:50 AM
CO-CHAIR NAGEAK remarked that the sad days are the anniversaries
of those evil events as no one wants to go through it again. He
mentioned that the anniversary of his son's suicide is in the
near future. Co-Chair Nageak emphasized that there are many who
have been touched by suicide and people need to start talking
about it. People, youth in particular, need to understand that
it's okay to feel bad, but one must get better and talk to
others. Furthermore, he urged people to talk with those who
seem to have the weight of the world on their shoulders because
it may save that person. He thanked everyone, particularly the
youth, for the hard work, the discussions about suicide, and the
resulting healing. He concluded by emphasizing that life is
precious.
9:40:43 AM
WILMA BELL-JOE, Member, Building Initiatives in Rural Community
Health (BIRCH) AmeriCorps Program, Rural Alaska Community Action
Program RurAL CAP, told the committee that the BIRCH program
discusses suicide prevention, drug and alcohol prevention, and
living healthy lifestyles. She related that three years prior
to her involvement with the program, she lost her stepdaughter
to suicide. A few months after she lost her stepdaughter, she
said she realized that her oldest son was struggling with
suicidal thoughts. Moreover, she related that growing up she
lost eight friends to suicide, was a victim of the 2006 fire,
and was involved in a troubled and domestic violent relationship
for 18 years. The aforementioned and being told by an elder
that she needed to address her own family's issues, made her
realize she had to stop [working as a community health aide] in
order to address the problems in her own family. Last year, she
was hired with the BIRCH program for which she shared a
photograph of its participants and introduced the youth leaders
who were present. Ms. Bell-Joe said she realized that some of
the youth didn't understand the information from other
organizations that talked to them about suicide, which led her
to learn to speak in the language of the youth so that they
could understand depression and stress. Ms. Bell-Joe related
that through the program her son is changing and realizing that
she, too, has changed to be a better person. All the youth are
told that they are the future and shouldn't give up. She then
expressed her gratitude for Dr. Rasmus and Mr. Charles because
without their help, the community would likely not have been as
successful addressing the issues. Ms. Bell-Joe said she
encourages the youth to respect their parents, do better for
themselves, finish school, and attend college. She noted that
at this point the members of the youth group are helping each
other and see things as a collective. She expressed pride in
the youth, their unity, work with learning their Alaska Native
language, and pride in being an Alaska Native. The youth group
decided to call themselves the Native Survivors as they are
going to study and learn how to survive and take the best of
both worlds [Alaska Native and non-Native].
9:52:21 AM
MR. CHARLES thanked the committee and expressed hope that the
presentation will illustrate a curriculum for [Alaska Native]
communities. He related his belief that education is how one
survives in the environment, but too often the education of the
Western culture isn't utilized to the fullest extent Native
Alaskans could. He pondered how much of Western education
Alaska Native youth could capture if they were taught the
protective factors early in life. He opined that Alaska Native
ancestors had early childhood education down to a science. He
emphasized that he is proud to work as a researcher representing
his community just as his ancestors who did things over and over
until perfection was reached. Mr. Charles noted that
Representative Foster was instrumental in the [Qasgiq Model],
the only indigenous model with scientific proof that it works in
Alaska. He reminded the committee that the qasgiq is a
communal place that has existed for years, a men's house, a
place of cleansing, and a gathering place. The [Qungasvik] is a
guide with modules illustrating the process to perform an
activity, an activity in which the elders teach with compassion
and love. Even the teaching of the ayaruq, the walking stick,
is a symbol of life, love, and relates that one is not alone.
Furthermore, the qasgiq provides a place to come together to
begin healing.
9:56:57 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND related her appreciation for the
graphics in the presentation.
9:57:34 AM
DR. RASMUS thanked everyone, particularly Representative Foster,
because the support provided in 2010 resulted in the ability to
hire another person in Hooper Bay, which she opined was
extremely critical to the success in Hooper Bay. Dr. Rasmus
stressed that there is empirical scientific data as well as
community observations that the process is working in Hooper
Bay. She noted that people become scared to talk about suicide
when it's not happening. She further noted that during her
visit last summer Hooper Bay felt different as something is
happening there and it's something that should continue, she
opined.
9:58:37 AM
REPRESENTATIVE FOSTER noted his appreciation and thanks for the
efforts of everyone to address the issue and testimony in which
folks shared their stories. He then pointed out that this
committee meeting is being transmitted via the Internet. He
recalled being in Hooper Bay when Mr. Nukusuk's nephew committed
suicide and in St. Michaels when there was a suicide as well.
He echoed earlier remarks that suicide is complex such that lack
of jobs, loss of culture, alcohol, domestic violence and sexual
assault, lack of hope for the future, and depression are things
that become compounded by other things that aren't so direct,
such as health issues and food insecurity. Some of the
solutions, including understanding goals and dreams, having
respect for elders, and supporting traditional and subsistence
practices, have been discussed. The bottom line, he opined, is
that it's rooted in the culture of the local community and this
program brings the issue to the community level and embraces
Alaska Native heritage.
10:03:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE DRUMMOND related her appreciation for everyone
who traveled to be here today. She then charged the researchers
with letting the legislature as a whole know how to help them
with every aspect of village life as the legislature is charged
with providing education to every child in Alaska. She also
noted her appreciation that youth are being encouraged to
continue their education and return to their communities.
10:04:59 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Community and Regional Affairs Standing Committee meeting was
adjourned at 10:04 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Qungasvik-Legislative Update 2014.pdf |
HCRA 2/13/2014 8:00:00 AM |
Presentation on Suicide Prevention |