Nunavut residents share 'remarkable' stories of suicide resilience

When self-described 'suicide survivor' Suzanne Sagmeister meets new people a simple handshake won't do.

"I like a hug," she says. "I need as many as I can get."

The photographer arrived in Iqaluit last week to collect personal stories about how suicide is affecting people in the North and she says she's already made some "remarkable" connections.

She's hoping to collect the photos and stories she's received from people across the country in a book called Life After Dark.

"To be able to connect with them and watch them turn their pain into purpose by sharing their stories is just remarkable," says Sagmeister.

Like many people in Nunavut, Sagmeister says she's been touched by suicide her whole life even as a six-month-old infant when her father was nearly killed by a person who purposefully swerved their vehicle in front of his speeding ambulance. She later learned that the person wanted to end their own life.

"Of course I didn't understand at six months of agethe impact that that suicide had on my dad and then a ripple effect into our familyuntil now.I look back and I understand the connection we all have."

Sagmeistersays she still hopes to speak with a young person and an elder before she leaves Iqaluit Tuesday.

"There's a lot of secrecy, a lot of silence."

Sagmeister says her book will be available next fall.

She says people can reach herby phone at780-805-6817 or by email athope@conspiracyofhope.ca.