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A man committed suicide in front of dozens of horrified onlookers at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage last month. The tragedy came even as the conference worked to address troubling suicide statistics in Native populations. Native American and Alaska Native men between 18 to 24 years old are much more likely to commit suicide than the rest of the population, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Are suicide prevention programs helping? Is there a model program or an amount of money that can save lives?

Guest: 

Cynthia Erickson (Athabascan) — advocate for suicide prevention and a board member of Alaska State Suicide Prevention

Dr. Dale Walker (Cherokee) — professor emeritus at the Oregon Health & Science University and director of the One Sky Center

Walt Pourier (Oglala Lakota) — executive director of the Stronghold Society

Today’s NAC:

Break Music:

A Song for Mosom (song) Fawn Wood Featuring Alan DiPerna (artist) Kikāwiynaw (album)

 

Heard on NAC today, audio report from the Indian National Finals Rodeo Rundown: