First Nations Métis artist who once thought of ending his life 'hopeful' of action on Indigenous suicides
'The recommendations today are great,' says Aaron Paquette
Aaron Paquette was only 19 when he walked out on the High Level Bridge and thought about jumping.
"I felt disconnected and I felt hopeless, and I didn't feel like I had a place here in society," said Paquette, now a popular First Nations Métis artist whose work is showcased and celebrated in Edmonton.
On Monday, Paquette welcomed a new report by the Alberta Child and Youth Advocate that looked into the suicides of young Indigenous people.
He said while on the bridge that morning, 23 years ago, he felt a sudden surge of support from people close to him, which made him realize he wasn't alone.
"Thanks to a deep reminder of my culture, I flew, I walked off that bridge free," said Paquette, now 41.
He held back tears thinking about the desperation and pain the seven young people profiled in the advocate's report must have felt.
Child Advocate Report looks at seven suicides in 2013 and 2014
Since making his choice that day on the bridge, Paquette said he has tried to be an "example of survival" to young people.
"I've dedicated my life to helping other people in my community, on a cultural basis, on an artistic basis, and simply by talking," he said.
The stories of seven young people aged 14 to 18 who committed suicide are detailed in the Child and Youth Advocate's report "Toward a Better Tomorrow: Addressing the Challenge of Aboriginal Youth Suicide."
The report outlines the circumstances of those seven lost lives, each marked by "complex trauma" of addictions, family violence and poverty, things Paquette can relate to.
The Child and Youth Advocate also lays bare the lasting legacies of pain and grief in Indigenous communities created by systemic discrimination from residential schools and the "Sixties Scoop," both of which involved mass, forced separations of Aboriginal children from their families.
Paquette said he agrees those policies of discrimination have led to generations of suffering. He said commissions and reports in the past haven't led to enough change in Indigenous communities, and while he was pleased to see the new report, it's time for action on a tragic issue with a devastating impact.
Advocate makes 12 recommendations to prevent tragedies
"Suicide is the third leading cause of death for Aboriginal youth," he said. "For young men, they're five times more likely to commit suicide than the rest of society. For young women, it's seven times."
In his report, advocate Del Graff called for a provincially funded suicide prevention strategy, school-based suicide prevention programs in Alberta schools and more accessible mental health programs in First Nations communities.
Paquette said he agrees with the 12 recommendations, calling them "fantastic" on paper.
"If they are implemented, we will go a long way to solving this problem," he said. "My fear is, they'll be given a lot of play but nothing will actually come about."
The artist believes poverty is at the root of much of the pain young people are feeling.
"We're in an age of reconciliation and we really have to ask ourselves, what does that mean? Does it mean that we say the word and feel better, like a magic spell? Or do we actually roll up our sleeves, especially here in Alberta, and do the work?"
Paquette said he wants young people to know that life is worth living. That they're not alone. That everyone suffers and there are always dark times. That life is never easy, if you live it right.
For young people who might feel desperate enough to consider ending their lives, Paquette encourages them to come forward and ask for help.