Indigenous Knowledge and Life Promotion: Changing Narratives on Suicide
September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. On this day, people will gather in communities across Canada and around the world to show support for suicide prevention efforts, to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have died by suicide, to comfort those who grieve the loss of a loved one to suicide and to strengthen connections and community together.
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) is marking this day by hosting a free and live, virtual event entitled, Indigenous Knowledge and Life Promotion: Changing Narratives on Suicide, featuring guest speakers Elder John Rice and Lindsay DuPré.
Join Elder John and Lindsay as they share insights into how Indigenous Knowledge can shift perspectives on suicide. Elder John is a third-degree member of the Three Fires Midewiwin Society and Elder/Knowledge Holder at Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services. He has an incredible ability to weave and harmonize Traditional Knowledge and Teachings into mainstream work. Grounded in her lived experiences as a Métis scholar, mom and auntie, Lindsay will explore how our relationships with Knowledge shape our wellbeing and our sense of community liveability. Her presentation will highlight the rigour of Indigenous Science and its potential for shaping life promotion strategies.
Life promotion is rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural teachings, and shifts the narrative from crisis response to one of hope, healing and empowerment. At its core, Life Promotion is about celebrating life. Rather than focusing solely on suicide prevention, it embraces a “language of life”—a strengths-based approach that emphasizes belonging, meaning, purpose and hope. This philosophy aligns with the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework, which recognizes that wellness is deeply connected to culture, land, spirituality and community.
Following the presentation, there will be a Q & A and closing segment, with attendees encouraged to participate in a “Global Candle Vigil” by placing a candle in their window to “Light a Flame of Hope” at 8:00 pm in their respective time zones.
This WSPD event will be held on Wednesday, September 10th, 12:00-1:30 PM ET and registration is required (link below).
Elder John Rice is a third-degree member of the Three Fires Midewiwin Society and Elder/Knowledge Holder at Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services. He was previously engaged with the Early Psychosis Program at CMHA, working with many first nations in the region through the Enaahtig Mental Health Outreach Program. John is one of the founders of Feather Carriers: Leadership for Life and a former faculty member in the Aboriginal Social & Community Development Program at Georgian College. He has an incredible ability to weave and harmonize Traditional Knowledge and Teachings into mainstream work. His leadership was honoured in 2016 as the recipient of the CAMH – Chapin A’sin Elder Vern Harper Award for Excellence in the Provision of Culturally-Based Practice.
Lindsay DuPré is a Métis scholar, mom and auntie. She has worked at the intersections of Indigenous education and health for over a decade, mentored by leading scholars, community organizers, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Her academic training includes degrees in Psychology (BA, University of Guelph), Social Work (MSW, University of Toronto), and Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies with a focus on Indigenous Knowledges (PhD Candidate, University of British Columbia). Lindsay’s work focuses on understanding the ways that Indigenous Knowledge systems continue to adapt to rapidly changing environmental, technological and socio-political contexts, and the need to address power imbalances that continue to exist between Western and Indigenous Science. In 2023, Lindsay received the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, ranking in the top 25 of doctoral researchers across Canada. She is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and lives with her family in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Treaty 6 territory and Homeland of the Métis.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
12:00-1:30pm Eastern Time (Toronto time zone)
9:00 am PDT / 10:00 am MDT / 11:00 am CDT / 12:00 pm EDT / 1:00 pm ADT / 1:30 pm NDT
This is a free, online event.
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