Indigenous graphic novels aim to give hope
Province launches series to help youths in communities facing suicide crisis
With Indigenous and Metis youths five to six times more likely to die by suicide than non-indigenous youths, Alberta is faced with a public and mental-health crisis, according to an expert.
Within the Indigenous community, the bulk of suicide deaths involve youths, whereas middle-aged men make up the majority of suicide deaths within the general population, according to Mara Grunau, executive director of the Centre for Suicide Prevention. The numbers are alarming and demonstrate a need for improved resources and support for Indigenous youths in the province, she said.
On Tuesday, which was World Suicide Prevention Day, the provincial government launched a twopart graphic novel and video series designed to support Indigenous and Metis youths struggling with their mental health. The graphic novels were written and illustrated by First Nation and Metis people with input from more than 100 youths from across Alberta.
“Indigenous communities know themselves best. They know their wisdom, they know their people and they know themselves. They know how to promote life. However, life promotion and suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. We each have a role to play,” said Grunau.
The reasons for higher suicide rates vary from nation to nation but, according to Insp. Steve Burton with the Tsuut’ina Nation Police Service, the past weighs heavily on Indigenous youths.
“The biggest thing is that people forget the past and they don’t realize how that still affects everyone to this day,” said Burton.
The mistreatment of generation after generation of First Nations, the ’60s Scoop and the effects of living as a visible minority all promote a “mindset of hopelessness,” he added, which leads young people to self-harm, drug addiction or suicide.
“When you’re looking at remote communities, when you’re looking at the opportunities for our youths to participate within (the workforce) … all those things that other communities take for granted our youths struggle with because of a lot of different limitations,” said Burton.
“It does promote suicide in our communities.”
The graphic novels and videos took 18 months to develop and tell the stories of two youths who find hope and strength in the face of adversity.
Tomorrow’s Hope targets Indigenous youths with the tale of a girl who feels like an outcast. The second novel, Strength of the Sash, focuses on Metis youths, telling the story of a boy who has lived through tragedy but comes out stronger because of his community.
Traditionally, First Nation elders would pass on lessons and spiritual messages through storytelling. Metis elder Gloria Laird hopes the graphic novels will teach the youths and connect them to their culture and spirituality.
“The message for the youths is that they are cared for and there are helpful resources available for them. But most of all, that there’s hope,” said Laird.
Minister of Children’s Services Rebecca Schulz said about $138,000 went into the graphic novels and videos that will be distributed by schools and community partners, and are available for download online. The series was developed because of a serious gap in culturally appropriate and focused resources for Indigenous and Metis youths.
“What we’re hoping is that these graphic novels, just being based in real, authentic experiences and stories from young people, will resonate with other young people,” said Schulz.
The series is only available in English until it can be translated into various First Nations languages, which is one of the government’s next steps.