The Tr’ondëk Hwëchin Wellness Department, Mental Wellness and Substance Use (MWSU) and the Roots of Hope Life Promotion and Suicide Prevention Initiative collaborated to host a week of training and activities during Nihè dinch’è jì’ wềtầzul Life Promotion/Suicide Prevention Week.

Events began on Monday of last week in Dawson City and continued until last Friday.

The weekly programming included workshops, events and a community film screening.

Covered were such topics such as life promotion, as rooted in Tr’ondëk Hwëchin culture, suicide prevention and information, harm reduction, grief and remembrance, safer partying, healthy relationships, men’s mental wellness, crafting, art and more.

A full day of cultural programming was offered by the Tr’ondëk Hwëchin First Nation on Friday.

Prizes were distributed featuring graphics created by a local artist working with the Tr’ondëk Hwëchin Youth Centre.

The partnership between Tr’ondëk Hwëchin Wellness Department and Mental Wellness and Substance Use Services, through the Roots of Hope Project, will continue through the fall, with training in Dawson from Oct. 24 to Oct. 28.

In conjunction with the Community Campus, activities will be offered to Dawson residents, including Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), safeTALK and suicide prevention talks specific to youth audiences.

“It is important that we continue to promote initiatives that help Yukoners live happy, healthy and safe lives,” Health and Social Services Minister Tracy Anne-McPhee said as last week’s events began.

“Communities need their own unique mental wellness supports tailored to their needs and cultures, and I am pleased to see the collaboration between the Tr’ondëk Hwëchin Wellness Department and Roots of Hope to better the lives of Dawson residents,” McPhee added.

The Roots of Hope Life Promotion and Suicide Prevention Initiative worked with the Tr’ondëk Hwëchin language department to give the initiative a name in the Hän language.

Nihè dinch’è jì’ wềtầzul translates to “It is better when you are with us,” as stated from a group to an individual.