MICHAEL JAMES

“I was born and raised in Alakanuk, Alaska and I am Central Yup’ik. I got trained on Critical Incidence Stress Management, on behalf of YKHC (Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation) Behavioral Health [Department]. My brother-in-law was the Tribal Council Administrator, he told me, ‘YKHC was looking for two people to go to Bethel.’ I said, ‘Okay, I will go!’ I had no idea what I was getting myself into until I got there. They said, ‘We are going to keep all of you here for one week and we are going to train you on Critical Incidence Stress Management and suicide.’ YKHC has about 58 villages or so to their name, I go to about 9-10. I go to villages to help instill internal fortitude in them, give them moral support and I am there with the first responders. The local people also got me into the Tribal Council and made me the Vice President. I like it, I love helping people.” — Michael James is Yup’ik and lives in Alakanuk, Alaska.