An episode aired all over the state of Alaska last night on KTUU Channel 2 news. Two reporters, Rhonda and Eric, chose to feature Alakanuk for the success of efforts in creating awareness and giving support to a community suffering from grief and suicide. A couple of weeks ago, they roamed the halls of the school and the village gathering footage and interviewing students, staff, health aides, and many community members who have suffered the loss of loved ones to suicide or other tragedies.
After watching my students follow the man with the large camera around, I decided to ask them what the topic of their story was. When they told me it was to focus on the absence of suicides in the last five years, I offered for them to come be a part of our weekly Natural Helpers meeting that afternoon.
Click on the link below to watch last night's report on Alakanuk.
Channel 2 News- "Village of Hope"
Natural Helper's main goal is to focus on preventing suicide, bullying, drug-use, and encouraging general safety. As a group, this year students have helped peers deal with losses related to a few fatal accidents involving alcohol. Although suicide has subsided, other accidents and grief have plagued the village. However, talking to anyone who has lost loved ones recently or in the past, their brave faces hardly show tears and pushing hurt aside and continuing life has become a normalcy for many. Despite some of the recent deaths, behind many of these cheerful, willing, and helpful faces, slowly the healing process has started to help some of the dampened hearts and hope has emerged.
