Former northern Saskatchewan educator devastated by recent suicides

A former educator in northern Saskatchewan thinks struggling communities need to look at the heart of the issue, rather than working on Band-Aid solutions.

"When you work in those communities, the problem of one is the problem of all," saidRussellPaskimen, an aboriginal advocate teacher at Sheldon-Williams Collegiate in Regina.

Previously, Paskimentaught at the school onMakwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation. He's a former teacher of the13-year-old girl who took her life there last week.

He'sstill in contact with former students, and was heavily affected by the recent string of suicides by young girls in northern Saskatchewan communities.

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"When you see the children from the northern communities and you teach them and affect the community in a positive way, and then to hear about a tragic loss like that, it's devastating," said Paskimen.

Although communities likeMakwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation have workedon healing and reclaiming their culture through language and traditional practices, Paskimensaid there areproblems that are out of people's control.

He notedwater quality, access to food and addictions. He said he would sometime see students always wearing the same clothes.

Paskimen said, "Every community up there has theirstruggles."