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A LIVE LIFE Philosophy

Suicide Prevention Week
September 10 - 16

Promoting a Live Life Philosophy to Our Youth

At Vision Maker Media, we are dedicated to fostering a positive and healthy outlook on life within our Native communities. As we approach Suicide Prevention Week, we wanted to take a moment to share our LIVE LIFE philosophy and why it is so important to us to inspire our community. 

Native youth have the highest suicide rate in America, roughly double the average. Many live in impoverished areas and do not have as many opportunities as others their age. Our communities still feel the reverberation of colonialism and genocide, and our youth are feeling that generational, historical trauma.

Our vision of providing a brighter future for our youth is clear, “empowering and nurturing the next generation through the art of storytelling and media creation.” By giving a platform for our youth to express themselves, we aim to promote resilience, self-expression, and a strong sense of belonging. Through our Native Youth Media Project, we strive to equip our youth with the tools they need to tap into their innate storytelling talent that all Natives naturally possess. By empowering them and providing a creative outlet, our youth are finding the joy and passion in their life, as well as within themselves.

We are focusing on preventing suicide as much as we are promoting LIVE LIFE. During Suicide Prevention Week, let’s come together to invest in our youth’s potential and well-being. Join us in raising awareness, fostering dialogue, and supporting initiatives that promote mental health and empowerment. Together, we can create a brighter future for our Native communities.

Empower. Inspire. Thrive. iNative 7G—nurturing the next generation. 

Learn More about our NATIVE Youth Media Project

If you or someone you know is struggling, remember that help is always available. Reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for assistance.

Walt Pourier

Vice Chair

Walt is Oglala Lakota and created the logo for Urban Rez. He is Creative Director, owner of Nakota Designs Advertising Designs and Graphics. Executive Director of the Stronghold Society nonprofit dedicated to instilling hope and supporting youth movements through Live Life Call To Action Campaigns.

Contact

lynn palmanteer-holder

Lynn Palmanteer-Holder, an Indigenous plateau woman of North Central Washington and member of eight of twelve Tribes of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Lynn recently retired as inaugural Director of Tribal Government Affairs for Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, the state’s oversight agency of 34 CTCs.  She is a highly accomplished professional that spans over 40 years. She is an experienced educator that has a demonstrated history across K12, post-secondary & higher education as a teacher, school counselor, superintendent, researcher, and professor. Also, she has diverse experience as an entrepreneur, Tribal leader and administrator. She is skilled in curriculum and program development, facilitating government to government relationships that led to formal partnerships between state institutions and Tribes developing custom programs. Lynn has served on many boards and has been recognized for various statewide, and national awards. She has several scholarly publications and has done various conference presentations and speaking engagements, at the local, national and international level. Lynn holds a Ph.C. (ABD) in Social Welfare Policy from University of Washington. She earned her M.Ed., with a concentration in counseling psychology from Washington State University and B.Ed., in K12 Education from Eastern Washington University. Lynn is a wife of 49 years, a mother of three adult professional children, granny of 10 and great granny to two. Lynn and her husband are high school sweethearts, and together enjoy time with their 15+ two-legged blessings.