‘I’m going to be her voice now:’ mother of 10-year-old girl who died by suicide on Sask. First Nation

The mother of the 10-year-old girl who died by suicide on Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation said she’s ready to be strong, and speak out following her daughters death.

Dorothy Angus’ daughter, Jaylyn, took her own life on November 21.

Since her death, the northern community has declared a state of emergency, and has called for help in their current suicide crisis.

Two more committed suicide over three weeks in November, and eight more attempted in that span in the community.

Angus joined John Gormley Monday to speak about what’s next for herself after her daughter’s death, and her community.

“It’s so hard to comprehend. I don’t know the answer to that. I look at these other kids, and I just don’t know what’s going through their heads, especially my little girl. At 10, I wouldn’t even think a child at that age would even think of things like that,” she said.

“I’m going to be her voice now. I know that she’s giving me the message for these kids to speak out. Don’t hold it. If you need to talk to anyone, there’s always people out there to talk to.”

Angus is a teacher at Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation School, and said they’ve been offered support from many, including neighbouring communities, Meadow Lake Tribal Council, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, and the province.

Angus said they were unable to catch the signs that their daughter was struggling.

She said Jaylyn was a quiet girl who wasn’t into school, and had complained about being bullied.

She was interested in music and skating, and wanted to “play guitar like her dad.”

Even though the death was in November, Angus said it’s been a struggle for her family.

“It doesn’t seem like two weeks, it seems like yesterday – to come back to our own home and deal with everything else. It’s not easy.”

Angus has a message for those struggling, and she knows the message that Jaylyn’s death conveyed to herself and her family.

“Don’t hold anything back, (because) you’re loved. They don’t think they’re loved, and when things like that happen the anger that sets in, they more or less snap,” she said.

“They don’t realize too, what happens after. I know Jaylyn’s looking down on us, and she did say she was sorry, and for us not to hurt anymore, and be strong.”