Take the Hope Pact, N.W.T. man tells struggling Indigenous youth

A man from Hay River, N.W.T., is encouraging Indigenous youth across Canada to take a hope pact.

"There has been issues of suicide pacts across the country where young people decide together to take their own lives," said Kelvin Redvers, one of the founders of the national movement.

"So what if instead we had even more people deciding to have hope together?"

Redvers says the campaign dubbed #HopePactis an agreement youth make, pledging to keep looking forward.

"You're agreeing to believe that no matter how hard life gets, there's always a way forward. You're agreeing to ask for help when you need it, to honour the strength within you, and to show support and kindness to those around you."

"It indicates that there's a group of people out there who are believing in me, who are believing in us," saidRedvers.

Young peoplecan take the #HopePact in person, or online.

Encouragement for Fort Simpson

Redvers and his sister began the We Matter campaign last fall a call for people from across the country to encourage youth by uploading personal video messages on how they overcame struggles.

The campaign was "quite successful," says Redvers, who noted that celebrities like Nunavut NHL playerJordin Tootoo and evenPrime Minister Justin Trudeau submitted a video.

"When I have a bad day, I will literally go watch some of these videos because they cheer me up," said Redvers.

But with arecent suicide crisis happening in places likeStanley Mission and La Ronge,Sask., Redvers says he hopes to show youth that "they matter, that they're strong, that they're worth it, that they have value to the rest of us."

With the recentfour suicides in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., Redvers says he hopes this new #HopePact campaign can make a difference there.

• 'It's been pretty hard': In grips of suicide crisis, Fort Simpson looks for support

"The healing that will need to take place is gonna be an ongoing process and it's not gonna be an easy process," said Redvers.

"We'd be really happy if there were those in Fort Simpson who wanted to be a part of the #HopePact, or use it as a tool, if they choose to."

If you or someone you know is considering suicide in the N.W.T., call the confidential NWT Help Line at 1-800-661-0844.You can also call the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a counsellor. There is also the First Nations and Inuit Watch help line at 1-855-242-3310.