Smudge the Rez seeks hope in dark times

The Rocky Boy Health Center's Smudge the Rez Tour began Wednesday evening, a series of events and ceremonies meant to address the increase in suicide the area has seen in the past few years.

The event, which drew well over 100 people Wednesday evening saw people on horseback travel throughout villages in Box Elder, with elements of the smudging as ceremony drummers followed singing a traditional song.

Rocky Boy Health Center workers followed the group knocking on doors passing out educational material on suicide prevention and what resources the center and area has to offer people who need help.

Melody Henry of the Rocky Boy Health Center said suicide has been on the rise in the past few years at Rocky Boy and the tribe is looking for ways to address the issue and provide support to the people in the area, and she hopes these events will give people a sense of hope.

Indeed, despite the grim nature of the problem the event sought to address, the atmosphere Wednesday night was very positive, with a prizes, food and a lot of people enjoying each other's company.

Rock Boy Health Center CEO Joel Rosette said he's hoping the event will encourage more community engagement and awareness of the issue, while remaining hopeful for the people.

"Any time we can bring the community together for a positive event is good," Rosette said.

He said the recent spike in suicides prompted the tribe to declare a state of emergency and the center's experts are trying to find ways to increase support as well as find an answer to what the cause of the spike is.

He said he thinks there are a lot of factors, but they don't really have a solid answer yet.

During the event the crowd was addressed by Rocky Boy Business Committee Vice Chair and Health Board Chair Teddy Russette who said they are working to make this tour a yearly event.

Russette said the tribe's various departments from health to social services to housing are all working together to address this issue and what it is doing their beautiful homeland.

The event also included a prayer delivered in Cree by Rock Boy Elder Willie Denny, who said he would pray for an end to the scourge of addictive drugs in the area and the suicide.

"It's a good thing that we're doing here," he said. "It's high time."

The event will be at Bonneau Sept. 20, Azure Site Sept. 27, Rocky Boy Agency Oct. 4, Middle Dryfork Oct. 11, Parker School Oct. 18, and Havre Oct. 25.