"One of the most significant events in my life is the summer ceremony of healing in South Dakota. This year, the significance for me was the focus on our children and the recent suicides in Indian country. The suicide rate among 15- to 24-year-old American Indians is three times higher than the national average.

Of the lessons taught during the ceremony, I remember most the words of one of our spiritual leaders, Jesse Taken Alive, who talked about our children -- about the suicides. He is a man who dedicates his life to the Native way. He spends the year before the ceremony preparing. Sometimes, when he speaks, he doesn't remember what he has said. It is voice and thoughts of the Creator, he told us.

During the day for the children's healing, Take Alive told us this: Look into the eyes of the children. Even if it's for a fraction of a second, they will provide us with a wealth of love and information from the spirit world. They bring to us knowledge that we can share that will help us create family. Look at into their eyes at their level -- remember, we were once children, he said. It is important that the children interpret our actions as security and love. From that, they will know they always can return home spiritually or literally -- that they have a place to go and someone to be with."

Get the Story:
DORREEN YELLOW BIRD COLUMN: Children hold key to healing (The Grand Forks Herald 8/6)

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