Entering the Arena Again

Resilience: the capacity to recover quickly
​from difficulties; toughness

My most recent journey has come from my privileges in education and my confidence in art. I have entered the world of Tribal Politics and Public Health. I was born Native and being born Native means your were automatically born into politics. Working in my Tribal Clinic has brought me the most success and challenges in my life so far. What keeps me continuing in the work of prevention is getting to assist in the healing journey of my family.

I recently was able to attend an ASIST - Suicide First Aid training. During the morning session on the first day, we split into two groups and had a talking circle addressing effects of suicide personally. We went around explaining how the ripples of suicide reached us all. We got to my Aunty, who also was attending the training and she asked if she could share something about me. Of course I didn’t think anything of it, I agreed. I assumed it would be about our extended family we both shared. She looked at me and explained to the group, “this summer, I witnessed my niece go through the worst bullying I have ever seen. A post that went viral throughout Indian Country.”

I instantly was shocked this story out of all our shared trauma is the story that she thought was worthy to share. I never thought this story would be brought up or was enough to be addressed for a Suicide Training! She went on in Rez-Aunty-mode explaining the hurt from watching me being tormented online and how she was ready to fight, to throw up fists. I honestly was shocked by the women around me who met me with genuine warmth and concern. And for the first time since that post, I broke down crying because if I wasn’t as strong of a person, if I wasn’t as resilient. That post, those words could have broke me. And they did break my cousin, my family. Words hurts and can kill.

The now emotionally charged room, tears in most of their eyes now too. It was the first time I felt the hurt from that post. I told the women, the comments didn’t hurt me because the second I saw it, I was ready to fight too, the way I was taught, with my story. They would not take my voice, they would hear my side to a one sided conversation, no one WOULD SILENCE ME.

You fall, you rise, you make mistakes, you live, you learn. You’re human, not perfect. You’ve been hurt, but you’re alive. Think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, and to chase the things you love. Sometimes there is sadness in our journey, but there is also lots of beauty. We must keep putting one foot in front of the other even when we hurt, for we will never know what is waiting for us just around the bend.

Helpers in Our Community: 

CRISIS (DISTRESS) CENTER: DIAL HELP 906-482-4357 
SUICIDE PREVENTION CENTER: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
RAPE/SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTER: DIAL HELP 906-482-4357 
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: Baraga County Shelter Home 906-524-7078 
OVW: 24-HOUR HELPLINE 906-353-4599 TOLLFREE: 1-855-202-8375
CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE: DHHS 1-855-444-8255
POLICE: 911
TRIBAL POLICE: 866-411-0018
PARAMEDIC EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES UNIT: 911 
MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS / RESPONSE: CCMH 800-526-2059 
HOSPITAL EMERGENCY SERVICES: 911  
MENTAL HEALTH OUTREACH CLINIC: CCMH at Baraga Clinic 906-524-5885 
PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS: BCMH 906-524-3300 
MEDICAL CLINIC / GENERAL PRACTITIONER: KBIC Health System 906-353-8700 
STD INFORMATION AND TESTING SITES: WUPHD 906-524-6142 KBIC Health Services 906-353-8700 
CHILDREN'S SERVICES OFFICES: DHHS 906-353-4700 KBIC Social Services 906-353-4201 
COLLEGE STUDENT SERVICES: Ojibwa Community College 906-524-8118 
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES: DHHS 906-353-4700 KBIC Social Services 906-353-4201 
SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING: New Day Treatment Center 906-524-4411 
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Call Kay - 906-353-8272 or Rose - 906-355-2618
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: CCMH at Baraga Clinic 906-524-5885 

Chi- Miigwetch
Thank you!
Tashina Lee Emery