A prayer ceremony Tuesday night at Tristen Durocher's teepee camp in Regina. (submitted photo/Tina Pelletier)

By Nigel Maxwell

Suicide awareness

PAGC Women’s Commission travels to Regina to support suicide awareness protestor

Aug 26, 2020 | 1:00 PM

On Tuesday, a dozen representatives from the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) Women’s Commission made the nearly 400 km journey down to Regina to show their support for Tristen Durocher.

The 24-year-old has been on the grounds outside the Saskatchewan legislative building since July 31, raising awareness about the high suicide rate in Saskatchewan. Prior to starting his 44-day hunger strike, Durocher walked from La Ronge to the Queen City.

Women’s Commission Chair Shirley Henderson told paNOW the commission members are very proud of what Durocher has accomplished.

“He’s certainly got the attention of a lot of people that are coming there to see him and give him support,” she said.

Durocher shares an embrace with a member of the women’s commission. (submitted photo/Tine Pelletier)

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In addition to providing prayers, the women’s commission also presented Durocher with a number of gifts including a Star Blanket, blessed by Sturgeon Lake First Nation, as well as some sage and sweetgrass.

“We’re hoping that we can bring awareness to the government that we do need the services especially in the North where we don’t have an awful lot of therapists that go to the communities because of the distance,” Henderson said. She noted the situation is very serious and needs immediate attention.

“I’ve heard that since he started this we have lost something like 14 people due to suicide, and of course lots prior,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of our commission members who have lost family members too.”

Representatives from the PAGC Women’s Commission wrap a Star Blanket around Durocher. (submitted photo/ Tina Pelletier)

Henderson described Tuesday night’s teepee ceremony as very emotional, explaining it brought back a lot of memories for the commission members. In addition to the general increase in counseling services for the communities, Henderson said she would also like to see some services added in the schools so youth who have a problem have some place to go to get help.

The court case

The Saskatchewan Government has filed a court application against Tristen Durocher at Regina Court of Queen’s Bench. If the application is successful, Durocher and company would be ordered by the court to vacate and cease occupying the land. The court hearing is scheduled to take place Sept 4. In the meantime a peaceful solidarity event for Durocher is planned for Sept. 3.

Participants are being encouraged to hold a sign outside their local MLA’s office, to help encourage the Saskatchewan Government to drop its court case, and instead sign a concrete suicide prevention bill.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell