Tribal Health Director Ann Lindroth-Jim talks about why she organized the December 7 Community Prayer Vigil.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — A Community Prayer Vigil was organized by Tribal Health Director Ann Lindroth-Jim on Friday, December 7 with the intent to shed light on recent suicides and tragedy in the area.
A small group gathered to pray and share words and testimony for the betterment of the future of the community.
“We have a lot of suicides in our community, a lot going on in the whole world,” she said, adding she saw it as signs that need to be paid attention to. She feels it’s up to the community to come together to figure out what can be done to help.
“I’m really tired of hearing about young people taking their lives when they have a purpose. Everybody has a purpose here,” she said.
Lindroth-Jim said more engagement needs to be made in the community and a long time ago everyone was part of a big family group that visited one another but it rarely happens now. Her message was to gather families together and pray with them. Her wish is to see the community be kind to one another, open their hearts and take care of one another. She said there doesn’t need to be any more deaths and the people need to pray for the sickness within the community.
“Our newe people were very special people and we got to remember that,” she said.
Participants shake hands after the event.
People were encouraged to share their thoughts, concerns and prayer requests.
Sho-Ban tribal member Lemuel Stone led the prayer. Stone was humbled to say the prayer and said it was a special day to ask for prayers. Stone said it was not one man’s responsibility to pray but a community effort.
“Creator needs to hear from all of us,” he said and prayers need to be offered on every level.
He put some cedar on and observed a moment of silence for all those who passed on.
Fort Hall Business Council member Lee Juan Tyler spoke about what he learned about prayer as he grew up in the Sundance way and Native American Church. He talked about the power of prayer and faith.
Everyone joined hands and prayed together. It was encouraged the prayers continue through an effort from everyone.