Christopher Merasty and Tristen Durocher began walking to Regina Thursday. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Walking with our angels

‘We’ve buried too many,’: Northerner plans hunger strike in Regina to protest inaction for suicide prevention

Jul 2, 2020 | 12:27 PM

A popular Métis musician from northern Saskatchewan is walking to Regina from La Ronge and plans to begin a hunger strike once he arrives to demonstrate against the province’s inaction on suicide prevention.

The more than 600-kilometre journey to Saskatchewan’s capital city began this morning near Air Ronge with a smudging ceremony, songs by the drumming group Northern Cree and speeches from invited guests. Tristen Durocher, who will be accompanied by Men of the North Founder Christopher Merasty, should arrive in Regina in the coming weeks.

“Once in Regina, I will be doing a hunger strike on the lawn of the Legislative Assembly until the government does something meaningful,” Durocher said. “Not promises, not plans, but actually implements and legislates something concrete that I can be certain will actually be meaningful.”

Durocher was inspired to do conduct a hunger strike after NDP MLA Doyle Vermette’s proposed bill, the Saskatchewan Strategy for Suicide Prevent Act, was voted down earlier this month. The bill would have forced the government to implement a suicide prevention strategy and would give the Saskatchewan Health Authority 180 days to start consultations with relevant stakeholders and groups. The authority would also need to report back annually on the progress being made.

Once Durocher arrives at the Legislative Assembly, he will camp on the lawn outside and begin his hunger strike. He mentioned his calorie intake will only consist of wild tea, cream and some honey to balance his blood sugar level. Durocher also noted he’s working with politicians, Indigenous leaders and others who are developing a framework to negotiate with the province as he’s unwilling to meet with them.

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“They don’t deserve a photo-op for any political advertising,” he said. “We don’t need anymore pictures of politicians in tears, we actually need action and that’s what I’m hoping to accomplish.”

Durocher believes a hunger strike is necessary because it will put pressure on the provincial government to act. He said it will create a sense of urgency and could put Saskatchewan in the national spotlight.

As a popular musician known throughout northern Saskatchewan, Durocher thinks he’s the right person to demonstrate because of his name recognition. He called himself a public figure in Canadian music and Indigenous culture.

“We’ve buried too many and we’ve waited too long, and I’m hoping this will be a spark,” Durocher said.

Vermette was one of about 30 local residents who attended the ceremony today and he said Durocher is setting out on a journey on behalf of families who are struggling. He’ll be waiting for Durocher in Regina and he added the NDP opposition will support him.

“This is on their lap, on their shoulders, and they have to answer to it,” Vermette said of the provincial government. “We hope he has a safe journey and he gets through to government. Actions speak louder than words and we’ll wait to see what happens.”

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno