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Warning: This story mentions suicide and could also be upsetting to some readers. A listing of sources for individuals who want help is supplied on the finish of the story.
In a B.C. cemetery Candice Papequash locations tiny Christmas decorations on the bottom subsequent to her nephew’s grave, saying it is a gesture meant to indicate he’s nonetheless together with his household “in spirit”.
Her nephew was Cree teen Traevon Desjarlais who died in an Abbotsford group dwelling in September of 2020. Final week, a coroner’s jury made 18 suggestions following an inquest into his demise.
However Papequash wonders if something will change in time to stop future tragedies.
“I hope that a few of these suggestions are carried out immediately so we don’t must lose any extra of our youngsters,” Papequash stated.
A LAUGH THAT FILLED THE WHOLE HOUSE
Traevon lived with Papequash and her household for a few year-and-a-half starting in 2017.
She describes her nephew as form and delicate.
“He appeared to get together with all people,” Papequash stated.
“His giggle, positively it will fill the entire home,” stated Traevon’s cousin, Alicia Desjarlais. “He favored to convey pleasure to different individuals and it made him comfortable.”
However she stated Traevon was troubled and struggled to make connections with others.
Traevon lived with Papequash and her household in 2017 however moved out after a few 12 months and a half.
“He was a young person, he needs to return dwelling and recreation and never comply with the principles of the home,” Papequash stated about Traevon’s purpose for leaving.
Nonetheless, she stated he would have been welcome again anytime. She says she needs somebody would have requested her if she would take him in earlier than he died and he or she nonetheless worries she ought to have achieved extra.
BODY NOT DISCOVERED FOR DAYS
Traevon was simply 17 when he took his personal life on the group dwelling. It wasn’t till 4 days after he was seen lacking that his physique was found in his bedroom.
The inquest heard {that a} employee seen a scent in the home, however thought it was a lifeless pet.
“He was in the identical home. He was within the closet. The closet door was damaged and he was leaning up in opposition to it. You thought that the scent was a hamster?” stated Alicia, who cried as she spoke of what had occurred.
“There was three of them and also you didn’t see whenever you went and checked underneath his mattress?” she questioned.
His aunt, additionally turned emotional when talking about what occurred to Traevon.
“Wouldn’t it be totally different if it was a white child there? If it was a white youngster hanging in that room would it not be totally different?”
NEED FOR CULTURAL CONNECTION, AWARENESS
One of many coroner’s suggestions was that cultural connections be fostered for youngsters in care.
The jury famous that Traevon’s employees had little to no cultural consciousness.
“I feel one of many large issues for me is educating the foster mother and father on Indigenous tradition and colonization,” stated Alicia.
“I feel that’s one thing they need to have recognized beforehand. Should you’re working with indigenous youth, you need to find out about our historical past,” she stated.
The inquest additionally heard that 70 per cent of youngsters in care in B.C. are Indigenous.
Traevon’s aunt helps the jury’s requires a brand new IT system to attach caregivers with essential data. It’s one thing she believes was missed with Traevon.
“That ought to have been carried out already… simply so all people has grasp on what is occurring with each youngster,” she stated.
RECOMMENDATIONS NOT BINDING
However the jury’s suggestions can’t be enforced. And that worries Traevon’s household.
“That’s very alarming as a result of that is an ongoing factor. It’s going to maintain occurring,” Alicia stated.
“How lengthy is it going to take to verify all these insurance policies are in place?” requested Papequash who stated the household hopes that Traevons’ voice will probably be heard and that the tragic finish to his life will convey constructive change.
She believes the tipping level for her nephew was when he came upon his uncle was dying.
He’s now buried subsequent to that uncle.
“The one factor that provides me consolation out of Traevon’s tragedy is that I do know he’s together with his uncle and that they’re collectively,” she stated.
Should you or somebody you already know is in disaster, listed below are some sources which are accessible.
Canada Suicide Prevention Helpline (1-833-456-4566)
Centre for Habit and Psychological Well being (1 800 463-2338)
Disaster Companies Canada (1-833-456-4566 or textual content 45645)
Youngsters Assist Telephone (1-800-668-6868)
Should you want instant help name 911 or go to the closest hospital.
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