The Spokane Tribe community has been struggling to cope with the tragic loss of five youth members to substance abuse and suicide within the year of 2025. The weight of these losses has deeply impacted friends, family, and the community as a whole.
Monica Tonasket, who serves as the Council Secretary on the Spokane Tribal Council, reflected on this experience.
“Our community is small so every loss has a huge impact, but when our youth pass away, it is on another level,” said Tonasket.
Community members are facing a challenging ordeal in supporting their children through grief. In the past, youth members and students have struggled in the process, resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Following the most recent tragic incidents, youth members began searching for different healing methods.
Yalena Andrew, a Spokane Tribal community member, has noticed this change.
“Just a few months ago, I could see a huge shift,” said Andrew. “Kids stopped wanting to go out on weekends and wanted to stay in with their families, or they would host game nights and do sober activities. There were more community events which brought them together, and nobody was alone.”
Tribal members recognize that immediate prevention remedies are necessary to further protect the youth. Penny Spencer, a member of the Spokane Tribal Network in coordination with the Wellpinit Middle and High School, recognizes the effort in prevention from the Wellpinit School District.
“The school has a lot of different resources that they’re pouring in and they also have Health and Human Services coming over,” said Spencer. “They are mental health counselors coming over to meet with the kids on a weekly basis, which is really nice.”
Another act of prevention comes from the Spokane Tribe Health and Human Services Prevention Program. The organization has implemented a peer ambassador program in collaboration with the Wellpinit School District, which serves as a way to promote strong mental health, supportive mindsets, and kindness amongst students.
What most Spokane tribal members say they would like to see is a cultural resurgence with more cultural activities and gatherings.
Following this ideal, Spencer emphasizes the impact of culture on the community’s wellbeing.
“Culture is prevention,” said Spencer. “That’s one of our sayings. The more that you can connect with your culture, the more grounded you become.”
It has been recognized on the Spokane Indian reservation that generational trauma is a major contributor to depression, drug and alcohol abuse among youth members.
“I didn’t realize it until it was talked about,” said Andrew. “I had it in my home growing up and still was oblivious to the actual impact it had.”
This perspective has been included in the journey to prevention. By acknowledging the impact of generational trauma, tribal members say they can work towards breaking cycles and promoting a healthy, resilient future for the youth. Andrew shares a message, echoing this sentiment.
“We are healing generation by generation,” said Andrew.“Regardless of our trauma, we are here and we are vocal. I see progress in each day and that’s what I am most proud about.”
From the community’s previous experiences in facing an overwhelming amount of loss, Tonasket shares a valuable lesson taught from a tribal elder in empowerment of the youth.
“He said we have to plant the seed and ask them the question, ‘what makes you happy? What do you want to do in this life?’ If they can see their future, they have hope,” said Tonasket. “They will see the beauty of life, and this will help them proceed in a good direction.”
The Spokane Tribe community continuously encourages everyone to be vocal when dealing with pain. A cry out for help is resilience, and seeking support is a sign of strength.
In Beloved Memory,
Sweeney Holt-Stearns (07/11/2008-01/08/2025)
Shayanne Cicherski (11/16/2006-01/13/2025)
Trey Flett (10/27/2010-04/19/2025)
Jonathan McCoy (06/13/2008-08/04/2025) Lorrell Mitchell (01/24/2008-08/04/2025).
