I have a beef to pick with the rest of the world.

Everyone keeps talking Aboriginal youth, like as if we are not here. Like as if we are not listening. Like as if we don’t know what is going on.

Talk TO us, not ABOUT us…Better yet, LISTEN to us!

When I say Aboriginal youth, I don’t mean just Aboriginal person confined to a certain age group, I mean anyone who is Aboriginal and who has been affected by issues that continue to affect Aboriginals, generation after generation.

Isn’t said to be that Aboriginal problems are inter-generational as effects from the Residential School system? Then, why is it that Aboriginal youth are not included in the healing process? I keep hearing our Aboriginal leaders talking about what is wrong with Aboriginal youth (Didn’t you say we have the highest suicide rates than any other group within Canada!)

Thanks for that memo!

As a survivor of a few failed suicide attempts, I can remember the very first time I thought about death. It was grade 3. What the hell? What is causing an Aboriginal child to be thinking about death in grade 3? I remember praying to the Creator to take me in my sleep. I remember writing to the Creator, and asking him how come he couldn’t “hear me and my wish to die.” My first real attempt was when I was 13 years old. I ended up in ICU. Then, my last suicide attempt was when I was 21 years old. I ended up in the cardiovascular wing of the local hospital. That was not too long ago, given that I am 24 years old. I either suck at death, or I am destined to do greater things. I am going to go with the latter.

Today, I am receiving the help that I need today. I am talking with someone. I have developed safety plans. I have removed myself from negative life situations. Things that I had to learn how to do, and things that I had to figure out over and over again to see which safety plan was best for me. Trial and error.

Nevertheless, everyone keeps talking about Aboriginal youth, like we are not here! I am sick and tired of it. I am standing up, starting today! This is also why I started this blog.

Hello world, Aboriginal youth are here, alive, and we are listening. I am meeting Aboriginal youth who are just like me in the sense that they want to change, are making change, who have changed and are remaining positive. So, why is it that we are just talked about like another number amongst other rates and statistics?

Talk TO us, not ABOUT us…Better yet, LISTEN to us!