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Agencies committed to partnering with Rosebud to address suicide
Terry Cline, the administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in Washington, DC described their block grant program to states as one that now includes tribal consultations. He said, "SAMHSA was not partnering with tribal governments, but now our grants are open to tribal programs. Now, we are open to tribal partnerships and have initiated a tribal consultation process to apply for grants." In 2008 there were $50 million in grants awarded to tribal organizations. Estelle Bowman and Stacey Ecoffey of SAMHSA were praised for their work by several speakers in assisting in the tribal consultation process and making the suicide summit a reality. Dr. Charles North of the Indian Health Service who also spoke on the second day said that he believes that the suicides are a trend that should improve over time and they will decline. He said, "This is a public health emergency that deserves our strong response. We appointed a psychiatrist to head up our suicide prevention committee. I.H.S has a suicide strategic plan. Guidelines for request for assistance like the one from President Bordeaux… It is an epidemic in Indian Country that we don't see in any other population. We want to partner with you to bring healing." The presence of Department of Health and Human Services personnel spoke to the importance of the issue as most came to explore the issue first hand. Rosebud Sioux tribal councilman from Antelope, Robert Moore served as the emcee and was recognized by several speakers for his excellent role. Sicangu medicine man, Roy Stone, Sr. gave an opening prayer in Lakota and the opening remarks by Rosebud Sioux tribal president, Rodney M. Bordeaux and SGU President, Lionel R. Bordeaux highlighted the very pressing issue of suicide which has been plaguing the Sicangu Lakota on the Rosebud reservation for the second straight year. Seven people have committed suicide on the Rosebud in 2008; however, other figures are being cited. The total number of suicides over the last year a half has been 23 according to Dr. Charles North of the Indian Health Service. RST President Bordeaux provided a local context for suicide by illustrating a number of resources which are defining the problem including a video and booklet produced by the White Buffalo Woman's Society entitled Suicide is Not a Video Game. He said, "We need to put a stop to this. I wished there were more students here. Suicide cuts across all racial lines…I wonder why kids from outlying areas and Sioux Falls, don't seem to have the same problem." Bordeaux continued, "We have to break down barriers and work together. We are all affected by suicide." Sicangu parent, Angel Wilson spoke of the loss of her son, while Leno Spotted Elk did the same; both were featured in the WBCWS video and both spoke of the tremendous impact of suicide in their lives and had hopes that the video would help other families. SGU President Lionel Bordeaux said, "I gave a talk at Wind River. Thirteen people had killed themselves. They had put their pipe away during World War I…,They went to the schools and had their students pray with the pipe and it stopped…maybe that's something we need to do." He also spoke of a brother who he lost to suicide 30 years earlier who had contracted tuberculosis after having returned from the war. A number of dignitaries from the state, including Gov. Mike Rounds and the South Dakota Congressional delegation were invited; however, each sent their respective representatives. K.C. Russell of the Governor's office spoke of a healthcare initiative to address the healthcare disparities being experienced by Native people, while Jerry Hofer, Secretary of the Department of Human Services discussed a $400,000 grant being spent to reduce suicide attempts and completion whose target audience is young people age 14-24 year old. 25 high schools and two universities will take part and Todd County High School, St. Francis Indian School and SGU will participate. Some of the services offered are a lifetime curriculum, how to learn the signs of suicide, and ASSIST training and Safe Talk training. Jessie Ewing represented Sen. John Thune's office, while Eli Wicks represented Sen. Tim Johnson's office and Rick Hansen represented Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin's office. Each representative read a letter, while Sen. Johnson issued a press release praising the summit. He said, "Suicide is a preventable tragedy, and I commend the Rosebud Sioux Tribe for bringing attention to this issue and taking a look at the root cause of suicide….I will continue to work hand in hand with our tribal community to provide the necessary resources to help put a stop to this growing epidemic." Laura Caliguiri, Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs said, "Being able to come to the summit helped magnify some of the issues and puts perspective. It leaves me committed for further programs and appropriations. We committed to do what we could do in the short and long term in convening all the groups. I am impressed with the leadership here at Rosebud…we coordinate with SAMSA, ANA and work closely with the Indian Health Service…we will go back and re-connect and think of creative opportunities." The afternoon session began again at 1 p.m. with Quanah Stamps, the Commissioner for the Administration of Native Americans of the Department of Health and Human Services speaking about the students who recently completed an emergency medical technician course with grant funding from the ANA held at Todd County High School. All of the students received a certificate of completion. A number of local educators, therapists, law enforcement and legal personnel made up a panel of tribal experts described their programs and efforts to address suicide prevention. The local presenters included Dr. Dan Foster of the Rosebud I.H.S. hospital, Dr. Pat Hill of the Wanbli Wiconi Tipi, Cindy Young of the RST Education Department, Steve Guerue of the Rosebud Law Enforcement Services, Judge Janel Sully of the Rosebud Tribal court system, Dorothy LeBeau of the Todd County School and Marcida Eagle Bear of the RST alcohol treatment center. Jesse Taken Alive of the Standing Rock reservation helped to close out the day by explaining the work his community is doing to address suicide, while switching back and forth from Lakota to English to illustrate some of the more powerful descriptors that Lakota seems to evoke. A community tour of the Rosebud reservation by bus was provided for out of town guests and others in order to provide a first hand look at some of the economic development ventures including the new Turtle Creek Crossing tribal grocery store. The supper hour included dinner at the Rosebud Casino with open discussions held. The second day of the suicide summit began as RST President Bordeaux provided a summary of day one and Terry Cline of SAMHSA followed with his remarks. SGU President provided an excellent history of the university and described its long term mandates as advocated by its founding chairman, Stanley Red Bird, Sr. Bordeaux said, "The answer to our problem lies in our people…we are familiar with the issues. We always took care of ourselves. We need to take a stand against suicide." Mark Van Norman of the National Indian Gaming Commission and Dr. Charles North then gave their presentations. Prior to lunch Tillie Black Bear of the White Buffalo Calf Shelter in Mission and chair of the tribe's suicide task force gave a meal prayer, while many of the Rosebud reservation programs and initiatives explained the work they are presently doing with the youth and suicide prevention. Jacinda Begay of the Rosebud Boys and Girls Club, Hattie Dunham and Richard Bracha of the RST Tribal Education Department's truancy intervention services will also describe their work. Burdette Clifford of SGU described his Circle of Care project which is funded by SAMHSA, while Shannon Atcitty provided a legislative update.
Black Bear told the Associated Press the one thing she would like to come out of the summit is a plan to consolidate the effort to ease suicides. She said numerous agencies on and off the reservation are doing what they can but there's no one program to lead the endeavor. She said this year it seems that the awareness is that it's getting under control by the mere fact people are talking about it and are willing to talk about it in their families and in the communities.
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