Tribal members attend annual walk to honor those lost to suicide

 

By Nicole Montesano

Smoke Signals staff writer

SALEM -- The grief of survivors is always a complex thing, all the more so for those grieving a life lost to suicide. Every year, Grand Ronde Tribal members turn out for the Out of the Darkness Walk for suicide prevention to remember those they have lost and bring hope to those who may be struggling. Attendees were reminded that speaking out to people who are struggling can be a lifeline.

This year’s walk took place Saturday, Oct. 10, at Salem’s Riverfront Park on a warm, sunny day. Tribal Council members Valeria Atanacio and Lisa Leno attended the walk.

Atanacio, who brought her three daughters to the walk, said her life was first touched by loss to suicide as a child.  

At the age of 8, she said, “We had a cousin who attended Chemawa Indian School. I remember she was babysitting us and I woke up with some bad dreams. She had this necklace and she took off her necklace and gave it to me, saying, ‘This will protect you.’  I felt so loved and cared for. That was the last interaction I had with her; she took her life at the age of 16.”

At the time, Atanacio said, “I didn’t understand it. Later, I worked with youth and I learned how people can feel alone, even when they’re surrounded by community. … It always seems to be the ones who are the most empathetic people who struggle with their emotions.”

She said she was attending the walk “to honor her and anybody who has lost somebody to suicide. And to remind myself and others in today’s environment, that humanity is important, our connection is very important and it’s not something that just happens. We have to work to make it happen, show up for each other and care.”

For those who lose a loved one, Atanacio said, “People feel residual grief and guilt … that’s just what it leaves behind, but also, it leaves the lesson of why actions are so important.”

The Tribe’s Youth Empowerment & Prevention Program brought several young people to participate, as they do every year.

“I like to come out here just to walk, especially because this topic is such a hard-hitting thing to me,” Tribal member Kiah Runningbird, 19, said. “It brings me comfort that we can all come together and not go alone in our grief and our struggles. I like that it brings out a bunch of people.”

 Runningbird said that it’s hard for some youth because they don’t want to admit that they’re struggling and feeling grief. Participating in the walk, she added, can help give even those who don’t want to discuss their pain the opportunity to be in community with others.

Samara Perez, 15, said she was participating for the first time.

“I felt like it would mean a lot not just to me but to my family, because a couple of years ago, we lost my cousin,” she said. “It means a lot to see so much support from everyone.”  

People struggling with suicidal thoughts can call the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988, 24 hours a day. Yamhill County also has a crisis hotline at 1-844-842-8200. Both Yamhill and Polk counties have mobile crisis teams that can provide support when requested through 988 or by law enforcement.

The Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center offers culturally appropriate assessments, referrals and treatment programs, as well as therapy. For me information, call Behavioral Health at 503-879-2026.

Youth Empowerment & Prevention also offers Tribal youth and families information about suicide prevention, support, assessment and culturally informed activities. For more information, call  503-879-1476.