Friday, February 4, 2011

Making a difference for Alaska Native suicide prevention

Saw this story in the Frontiersman, pretty cool.

Palmer man leads fight against depression

There's a very powerful message here, and it's still amazng to me when I hear this kind of thing:

Pagaran admits that, “I myself was ashamed to say I was Alaska Native until I was 25 years old, and I grew up in Alaska,” he said. “I would tell people I was oriental, Mexican — anything but Native. I believed these lies like so many other people do. Our message is not only hope, but also (bringing) that identity to help people realize that when God created us, he didn’t create any mistakes.”

I can't say I've ever felt ashamed to be Native - I only ever remember being proud. But I've heard it from many people, and it hits really hard.

_

1 comment:

AKjah said...

I am proud of Alaska natives. I am not and only came here thirty years ago. I have learned of the pride and how it shows-which is minimal. Alaskans should be proud to be who they are. there is nothing to be ashamed of. A proud people should shine. Native Alaska we look to you to be what we all want to be, Honest, resolved,understanding,Compassionate
If we can get our governments heads out their asses we just might be able to DO SOMETHING.