Indigenous Knowledge and Life Promotion: Changing Narratives on Suicide: Join a Free Virtual Event

Press Release

September 9, 2025

A message from Dr. Nolan Hop Wo, Medical Officer, Mental Health & Wellness, FNHA Office of the Chief Medical Officer; and Duanna Johnston-Virgo, Executive Director, FNHA Mental Health & Wellness Team

​​On September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, we remember and honour the lives of those who have died by suicide, and show our support for those left behind as well as for those who are working to prevent suicide.

We encourage First Nations people in BC who are interested in this subject to register for The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention’s free virtual event entitled “Indigenous Knowledge and Life Promotion: Changing Narratives on Suicide,” featuring Indigenous guest speakers Elder John Rice and Lindsay DuPré.

Elder John and Lindsay will share insights on life promotion and how Indigenous Knowledge is shifting perspectives on suicide. Elder John is a member of the Three Fires Midewiwin Society and Elder/Knowledge Holder at Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services. He weaves Traditional Knowledge and teachings with mainstream work.  Lindsay is a Métis scholar, mom and auntie. She will explore how our relationships with knowledge shape our wellbeing and our sense of community. Her presentation will highlight the rigour of Indigenous science and how it will shape life-promotion strategies.

Life-promotion strategies celebrate life and honour our cultures and traditional wellness methods, lead with First Nations ways of knowing and being, and utilize cultural practices and protocols to support an individual’s whole journey. Life promotion is a strengths-based approach that is rooted in First Nations knowledge systems and cultural teachings. It shifts the narrative from crisis response to one of hope, healing and empowerment. Rather than focusing solely on suicide prevention, it embraces a “language of life”—a strengths-based approach that emphasizes belonging, meaning, purpose and hope. This philosophy aligns with the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework, which recognizes that wellness is deeply connected to culture, land, spirituality and community.

We can all practise life-promotion strategies and promote healthy lives for each other by having open conversations, caring for our individual health and wellness, as well as caring for others. The following is a list of ways we can do this.

• Have people you can talk to: This could include Elders, mentors, counsellors, friends and/or family members you trust and feel comfortable with.
• Get out on the land. This includes having places you can go to:  the ocean, rivers, or lakes; the forest, community centres, the park, support groups or drop-in centres.
• Make time for activities you enjoy: Make a list of wellness activities that bring you peace and joy, such as being in nature and on the land, participating in cultural activities, being creative or engaging in sports or hobbies.
• Create a distress kit: This may include various items that can help ground you, calm you, or remind you to be in the present moment. If you also have access to different cultural or natural materials, e.g., birch bark or cedar, you could make a basket or holder that your items can go in. Items can be anything that means something to you or is soothing, whether that’s a stone, a photo (or some funny memes), a fidget spinner, a sketchbook, cedar weaving or other cultural materials, essential oils, or a smudge kit.
• Reflect on your personal gifts and strengths: What personal and positive gifts and strengths do you have to lean on through challenging times? If no one is encouraging you, encourage yourself! Write down your strengths, so you can reflect on them or share them.
• Check in daily with others with questions such as: “How are you?” “How are you feeling?” “What’s new, are you doing alright?” “Just checking in, are you doing ok?”
  • Genuinely listen and be present. Open your heart, actively listen, and let the person speak without judgement or interruption. Be curious and empathetic.
  • Provide useful recommendations and encouragement to support their wellness.  “That’s awesome that you got into mountain biking,” “Nice work on your art project,” “You’re going to the gym, right on – keep it up!” This can be done in person, on the phone, sending a message, or posting on someone’s accomplishment.
  • Share activities.  These can be as simple as going for a walk and getting out into nature.  This not only supports mutual wellness, it gives the person an opportunity to open up and share.

FNHA Life-Promotion and Suicide-Prevention Resources:

• Hope, Help, and Healing Toolkit
• Mental wellness supports for First Nations youth
• Check out Native Youth Sexual Health Network’s (NYSHN) “You Are Made of Medicine: A Mental Health Peer Support Manual”
• Explo​re suicide prevention, intervention and postvention planning at the community, tribal council, Nation-based, and sub-regional levels.
• If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, KUU-US has a 24/7 BC-wide Indigenous support line.
• Thunderbird Foundation: https://thunderbirdpf.org/life-promotion/
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: https://suicideprevention.ca/life-promotion/

KUU-US CRISIS LINE

Adult Crisis Line: 250-723-4050
Youth Crisis Line: 250-723-2040
Phone (toll-free): 1-800-588-8717
Website: https://www.kuu-uscrisisline.com

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