Candles Burning in Saskatchewan - Solidarity around Suicide

Candle-light vigils are sparking up across Saskatchewan in support of Walking with Our Angels, the group that walked over 630 kilometers to the province's capital to raise awareness around the province's highest-in-the-country suicide numbers.

Seven speakers were heard at the La Ronge-based Vigil, including:

“Tristen’s walking for each and every one of us — to understand what we can do for mental wellness” Jackie Durocher - Aunt of Tristen;

“If Chris stops someone like me on the street, on a bad day, he gives them a reason to keep going” Anthony Isbester - Affected local Youth;

“I’ve done over 200 interventions, some multiple times with the same person, and sometimes it didn’t work” Sarah Poole - a Teacher in La Ronge;

“Premiere Moe: listne to this, and listen closely: some of our communities are in Crisis and they need help. You can’t sit on the fence anymore.” Dennis Caplett - Local Manager, Giant Tigert; and more.

Dene Linguist and drummer Jessie Sylvestre was on site to provide a Dene PSA of the vigil in Saskatoon.

Chris Merasty, who was Security Detail and walked with Tristen Durocher from La Ronge told MBC NewsRadio on Wednesday, Aug 12 that the idea for the Vigil in La Ronge came from his time on the road and seeing the participatory impact of attendees needing to light their own flame off another, and protect it. Merasty said this action was symbolic of the community-based approach we need to take to protecting our vulnerable.

A similar vigil was held in Buffalo Narrows, where Tristen spent a large part of his youth, on August 11 of this year. Earlier, a vigil in Saskatoon called 'Suicide Loss for Survivors' was organized by the C.E.O. of a local apparel company. Amanda Sanderson, who owns and operates S.H.B. Apparel (Spirit of a Warrior, Hope for the Future, and Beauty of Life) organized the mid-July event to honour the Walkers as they passed through Saskatoon on their way to Pile of Bones (Regina).

The following day in Court, a stay was granted for Mr. Durocher to continue his fast until September 4--a new court date. While this allows the Movement more time, it does not give Tristen the full length of his Fast (Sept 13 was the scheduled end date).