Legislature(2025 - 2026)DAVIS 106
04/03/2025 08:00 AM House TRIBAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentation: Suicide Prevention in Alaska | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
HOUSE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON TRIBAL AFFAIRS
April 3, 2025
8:05 a.m.
DRAFT
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Maxine Dibert, Chair
Representative Ashley Carrick
Representative Robyn Niayuq Burke
Representative Andi Story
Representative Rebecca Schwanke
Representative Jubilee Underwood
Representative Elexie Moore
MEMBERS ABSENT
All members present
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: SUICIDE PREVENTION IN ALASKA
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JAMES BIELA, Advocacy Ambassador; Social Worker
Americans for Suicide Prevention
Alaska Chapter;
Lower Kuskokwim School District
Bethel, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a PowerPoint, titled "Engaging
Community Through Sources of Strength."
JOANNE PROEFROCK, Director
Americans for Suicide Prevention
Alaska Chapter
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Spoke on Americans for Suicide Prevention.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:05:09 AM
CHAIR MAXINE DIBERT called the House Special Committee on Tribal
Affairs meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. Representatives
Underwood, Carrick, Burke, Story, Schwanke, and Dibert were
present at the call to order. Representative Moore arrived as
the meeting was in progress.
^PRESENTATION: Suicide Prevention in Alaska
PRESENTATION: Suicide Prevention in Alaska
8:05:57 AM
CHAIR DIBERT announced that the only order of business would be
a presentation on suicide prevention in Alaska.
8:06:55 AM
JAMES BIELA, Advocacy Ambassador, Americans for Suicide
Prevention (AFSP), Alaska Chapter, Social Worker, Lower
Kuskokwim School District (LKSD), shared that besides
volunteering with AFSP, he "wears many hats," and he listed
other functions that he fulfills. He shared that after a friend
had died by suicide, he cofounded the Alaska Chapter of AFSP.
He pointed out that this was after he had obtained a master's
degree in social work. He said, "I thought I knew everything
about suicide," but he realized that he knew nothing. He stated
that he has learned from being a part of AFSP. He shared that
he has worked in Toksook Bay and the surrounding remote villages
as an iterant social worker for 21 years. He stated that in
2010 the LKSD school board mandated that high school students
take an hour-long course on suicide prevention; however, he
expressed the opinion that this program "was not going too well"
because it was not culturally relevant. Per this realization,
he said that in 2013 he brought in local students and Elders for
a one-day hope and healing event to help alter the program so
that it would be culturally connected. He discussed the success
of the program after it was altered, and now the program is an
annual cultural event, lasting for six days.
8:12:16 AM
MR. BIELA stated that an episode in the video series, "Indie
Alaska" was filmed in Toksook Bay [in 2023], and for a week the
cultural event was filmed. He played the episode, titled "Talk
it to the Tundra: How a Yup'ik Village Heals Together" [video
link found at https://www.pbs.org/video/talk-to-the-tundra-how-
a-yupik-village-heals-together-yxrsfo/ ].
8:32:50 AM
MR. BIELA noted that the video had been edited to fit the
series, and he addressed some of the elements that had been left
out, including talks with the Elders, footage of the memorial
feast, and the muskox stomping. He explained the purpose of
muskox stomping is to bring laughter and unity. Since the
program started, he said there has not been a [youth] suicide in
Toksook Bay over the past three years. He stated that he has
been working with the Center for Alaska Native Health Research
and referenced the Qungasvik Toolbox, which is a multilevel
strength-based intervention developed by Yup'ik communities to
reduce and prevent alcohol use disorder. He stated that this
tool, along with AFSP material "has worked fabulously."
MR. BIELA stated that, with the help of the American Academy of
Pediatrics, he has been able to get funding for more activities
for the upcoming suicide prevention and cultural program. He
noted that one of the new activities would be a story night by
the high school students. He stated that in 2017 he had
"hounded" AFSP because its video on surviving a suicide was not
culturally relevant for the village. He stated that he spent
six months with Elders to add Yup'ik and Cup'ik subtitles to the
video, which will be playing during the suicide prevention and
cultural week.
8:38:21 AM
JOANNE PROEFROCK, Director, Americans for Suicide Prevention,
Alaska Chapter, expressed appreciation to Mr. Biela, pointing
out that his work is done on a voluntary basis. He said that
she is "beyond words on how much he has done." She stated that
her role at AFSP encompasses the entire state, as the national
organization is focusing on support for Alaska. She stated that
this is in reference to the need for suicide prevention,
education, and "letting voices be heard." She extended her help
to the committee.
8:39:53 AM
MR. BIELA presented a PowerPoint, titled "Engaging Community
Through Sources of Strength" [hard copy included in the
committee packet. He voiced frustration that suicide prevention
programs have not been culturally relevant to rural Alaskans.
He spoke about the peer mentor program, titled "Sources of
Strength," as seen on slide 1. He spoke about the history of
the program, which began in 1988 for an Indian tribe in North
Dakota where there had been many incidences of suicide. He
noted that this program is based on a traditional method,
pointing out that the training for the program is not done in a
normal way. He described it as a strength-based, comprehensive
wellness program, which also focuses on substance abuse and
domestic violence. He explained that the program uses a
relational-connection model, and it is peer led with adult
leaders monitoring the youth. He stated that the program
focuses on identifying strengths in youth and building
positivity. He pointed out the eight cycles of the program,
which are mental health, family support, positive friends,
mentors, healthy activities, generosity, spirituality, and
physical health.
8:44:30 AM
MR. BIELA pointed out that the Sources of Strength program
closed during the COVID-19 pandemic but was reignited in 2022
after an accidental death of a young man in Nightmute. A single
student, who was suicidal after this death, restarted the
program by making a poster in the school, identifying his
strength using the cycle. He stated that this student's action
got the whole community involved. He moved from slide 2 to
slide 4, stating that the Sources of Strength program hosts
family nights in 20 villages. During each family night, one
aspect of the Sources of Strength cycle is discussed, with one
student sharing his/her strength. He pointed out the photo on
the slide of people at a family night, stating, "It gets
packed." He stated that during these events, family members
would come together, interact, and discover the strength of the
youth in the community.
8:47:10 AM
MR. BIELA moved to slide 5, titled "I am thankful for," and he
described this Sources of Strength exercise. He stated that
papers are passed out and students share their answers, and
afterwards the papers are posted on the school walls, displaying
the positive messages. He moved to slide 6 and spoke about the
community of Nightmute. He stated that after a typhoon hit the
community, the youth cleaned up the community and helped the
Elders before the National Guard arrived. Concerning how the
program has helped, he stated that before the Sources of
Strength program was implemented, Nightmute had the lowest test
scores in the district. He emphasized that now test scores have
improved by 60 percent. He explained that the program has
helped to implement cultural aspects to healing, and he
described a Yup'ik drum that was painted with the Sources of
Strength pie chart. He moved to slide 7 and pointed out the
audio links on the Sources of Strength pie chart, which shares
students speaking about their source of strength. He stated
that this is being posted in all the villages on Nelson Island.
He noted that this is being translated to Yup'ik.
8:51:58 AM
MR. BIELA moved to slide 8 and pointed out the preparations
students had made for a district volleyball tournament. The
slide showed volleyballs painted with the colors of the Sources
of Strength emblem. He explained that these students took the
volleyballs back to their villages to remind them of the
program. He moved to slide 9 and stated that it was decided
that teachers should also participate in the Sources of Strength
program with an annual conference. He expressed the opinion
that the program is working, as test scores are going up, and
there have been no student suicides over the past three years.
He reiterated that the program is peer led. He stated that
people from the national AFSP program visited from the Lower 48
and were impressed at how well the program fit with the culture
and traditions of the area. He stated that the students were
welcoming to the visitors.
8:56:57 AM
CHAIR DIBERT thanked Mr. Biela for his service to rural
communities in the state.
MR. BIELA, in response to a question from Representative Story,
expressed uncertainty about the program in the Juneau School
District. He pointed out that all the schools in LKSD have been
"pushing" to use the Sources of Strength program. He stated
that these schools are unique because LKSD has a department for
social workers. He noted that this department was created in
1997 after two people died in a shooting in the Bethel High
School. He stated that other school districts have reached out
to LKSD concerning the program. He added that he has reached
out to Fairbanks, and there has been interest in Ketchikan. In
response to a follow-up question, he expressed the understanding
that grants fund the program in LKSD. He stated that he would
follow up to the committee with more information on the funding.
9:01:58 AM
MR. BIELA, in response to a question from Representative Story,
stated that each school in the program would have its own group
of peers and one teacher, and this teacher would receive a
$1,000 stipend per year. He stated that the training process
for those involved in the program is unique, as there are
different team building exercises, with discussions afterward.
He stated that, in the end, each program would depend on the
community, as the program is about bringing families together,
having discussions, and team building. He continued that the
teachers meet twice a month and then there is a campaign twice a
year to talk about the program. He stated that students come to
Bethel once a year for training on team building exercises. He
pointed out that now there is a K-5 program. Concerning the
funding, he expressed the understanding that there was about
$30,000 to fund the program in LKSD this year. In response to a
follow-up question concerning the $1,000 stipend, he stated that
he works as an advisor, and he helps the teachers, but he does
not receive the stipend. In response to a follow-up question on
outreach, he stated that the new superintendent of LKSD has
introduced the program to other districts during regional and
state meetings. He pointed out that the LKSD board is 100
percent behind the program.
9:09:19 AM
MR. BIELA, in response to a question from Representative Carrick
concerning whether the program would need to be modified for use
across the state, explained that the Sources of Strength program
could be adopted to any culture in Alaska.
9:11:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHWANKE commented on the importance of the
program and thanked Mr. Biela. She discussed the importance of
connecting with nature and being able to communicate openly.
She pointed out that, instead of discussing generational
healing, generational strengths need to be addressed. She noted
that the Sources of Strength program is doing this. She
expressed support for place-based education and peer mentorship.
MR. BIELA, in response to comments from Representative Schwanke,
noted that he brought five students from Sources of Strength to
Juneau and they "did a tremendous job." He pointed out that
these students are peer leaders helping other students.
9:15:25 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY expressed appreciation for his
presentation. She pointed out that being able to express
emotions and grieve is a universal issue.
MR. BIELA expressed the importance of tribal Elders and leaders
sharing stories with the youth, as it opens the door to the
conversation. He stated that every year in Toksook someone new
stands to tell his/her story. Per the funding question, he
stated that Title IV of the Higher Education Act federally funds
the program, and this is at the district level. He noted that
the cost for a trainer to come to the district is $6,000 for one
day.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY expressed the understanding that an
individual source of strength would be internal. She expressed
appreciation for the sentiment of talking to nature. She
expressed the opinion that Alaska would be stronger if more
teaching was centered on subsistence.
CHAIR DIBERT expressed agreement and emphasized the importance
of subsistence for youth and Elders. She questioned the
frequency of family nights.
MR. BIELA, in response, stated that schools would have a family
night once a month, with students selecting the section of the
pie chart to focus on. He noted that a family night would last
for two hours.
REPRESENTATIVE DIBERT expressed appreciation for the family
night, as it creates a space for the community to get together
and talk.
9:22:44 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK addressed the comment in the video about
students being isolated after graduation from high school. She
pointed out the high rate of suicide for young men out of high
school. She questioned whether there are supports set up in the
villages for this population of young men.
MR. BIELA, in response, provided the observation that in Toksook
and Nightmute, the young men who started the program have since
graduated. He stated that these young men have been involved as
mentors with students. He pointed out that now there are drugs
in Toksook Bay, and this has become a topic among these young
people. He noted that after graduation some of the young men
have been able to go to technical school, while a few have
joined the military. He stated that the program is only two
years old, and this is not enough time to see the real results.
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK questioned whether the suicide rate has
dropped across the entire region.
MR. BIELA responded that across the entire LKSD region there has
not been a youth suicide in three years. He stated that
students have expressed suicidal thoughts, but they are talking
about this now and have not acted. He added that there have
been other suicides, but no youth since 2022.
CHAIR DIBERT questioned whether youth would have access to a
counselor in the village.
MR. BIELA responded that there are nine social workers with the
school district, and these are based in Bethel. He stated that
five of these travel to villages to talk to students. As a
counselor, he said he travels to seven different villages, and
he is out for three and a half weeks before going home for a few
days. He stated that this is primarily to talk with the youth,
but he could also see adults in the villages. If students need
to talk, he said that they can text or email him, and if a
student needs more help, there can be a referral to Bethel;
however, there would be a four-to-six week wait for an
evaluation. He noted that if there is immediate danger, the
Village Public Safety Officer would be contacted. In
conclusion, he stated that mental health workers are not sent to
the villages, so if a therapist is assigned, it would be done
through telehealth. He stated that he and other social workers
are available twenty-four hours a day, as first responders. He
reiterated that there is a four-to-six-week waitlist.
9:32:34 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY questioned how many schools in the region
have the Sources of Strength program.
MR. BIELA responded that in LKSD, 23 out of 26 schools have the
program.
CHAIR DIBERT questioned whether a student could skip the
waitlist in Bethel and go directly to an urban area for help.
MR. BIELA responded that previously a student on a Title 47
could be referred to Anchorage for help; however, now the
students must go through Bethel first because of Medicaid
restrictions.
9:34:23 AM
MR. BIELA stated that annually, for seven years, he has been
able to present about the program at the Elder and Youth
Conference held by the First Alaskans Institute. He stated that
this year he would be bringing youth for a workshop on Sources
of Strength, showing others how it could be made cultural.
CHAIR DIBERT encouraged committee members to attend the Elders
and Youth conference.
MR. BIELA thanked the committee for allowing him to speak about
this difficult subject.
9:37:03 AM
CHAIR DIBERT made closing comments.
9:37:43 AM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Special Committee on Tribal Affairs meeting was adjourned at
9:37 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel_Yupik.pdf |
HTRB 4/3/2025 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Sources_Wheel.pdf |
HTRB 4/3/2025 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Sources of Strength ASB 2024.pdf |
HTRB 4/3/2025 8:00:00 AM |
SB2024 |