The Embrace Life - Survivors of Suicide family conference is an annual event held in the scenic home of Jerome Harper in St. Theresa Point, MB, a First Nations community located on Island Lake.

The community of St. Theresa Point, MB, recently received an enlightening conference on a crucial subject – suicide.

The community’s Aboriginal Family Empowerment organization held their annual Embrace Life – Survivor of Suicide family conference from August 7-9, 2020.

The conference is an initiative that deals with the mental well-being of the community. It focuses on talking about suicide prevention in Northern First Nation Communities, addressing the traumas that directly involve the youth and the subsequent effects these tragedies have on their families and everyone else around them.

The conference takes a much-needed stance to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health, with goals to create a safe space to address these issues. It also seeks to help meet the tremendous need of healing, bring awareness about the various forms of therapies, provide information and preventing strategies for future losses and project a vision of valuing every human being.

"Suicide is prevalent in many northern First Nations communities. Every family has lost one or more loved ones to suicide. It is a daily occurrence to hear suicide verbalization and/or attempts. The effects of these traumas then ripple out to other members of the family and friends, and adversely affect the community as a whole. The purpose of this conference is to project a vision of valuing every human being. Every life is important, and carries a gift of God. The purpose of life is to share this gift," shared Jerome Harper, the event's Organizer.

The event saw vivid and unique contributions by various presenters, including entertaining Gospel musical performances every evening. It also included support systems such as campfires and stories, community sharing of meals, and teachings of an academic and traditional nature.

The St. Theresa Point Northern store was glad to be a part of this important initiative and showed its support by donating a propane stovetop for the event.