Rosebud Sioux Tribe declares emergency over suicides

Thursday, March 15, 2007  

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota declared a state of emergency on Wednesday in response to high rates of youth suicide.

From January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2006, the tribe responded to three suicides and 193 attempted suicides. So far this year, three people have committed suicide and 51 people have attempted suicide.

Tribal and community leaders hope to show youth that the tribe wants to help them and take action. They have heard complaints from youth, and others, that nothing ever gets done in times of crisis.

"Every time we reach a crisis as a Lakota people, everyone says they are going to do this and this and this, and nothing happens," Jody Waln, the wife of Rosebud Chairman Rodney Bordeaux, said at a student assembly, The Rapid City Journal reported.

Bordeaux wants to coordinate suicide and gang prevention efforts across the reservation. He hopes to obtain support from state and federal officials.

Get the Story:
Rosebud Sioux Tribe declares state of emergency on reservation suicides (The Rapid City Journal 3/14)

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