Indigenous Episcopalians to Receive Suicide Prevention Training

The training will be a focal point at the upcoming Winter Talk conference in Albuquerque.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Suicide prevention training will be a key focus for Indigenous Episcopalians attending this weekend's Winter Talk Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the church works to address one of the leading causes of death in Indigenous communities. The one-day training on February 28 will use a new curriculum designed by the faith-based nonprofit Soul Shop Movement, which offers specialized suicide prevention workshops for various communities.

Why it matters

Suicide rates are disproportionately high among Indigenous people in the United States, with suicide being the second leading cause of death for Indigenous youth ages 8 to 24. Systemic injustices, intergenerational trauma from boarding schools and colonialism, and high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous people are major drivers of this crisis, which is increasingly recognized as an act of literal and cultural genocide.

The details

The suicide prevention training at Winter Talk will use a curriculum developed in collaboration with the Office of Indigenous Ministries and Indigenous Episcopal leaders. The program addresses seven key causes of suicidal desperation and provides guidance on how to identify and support those thinking about suicide, those worried about someone, those who have lost someone, and those who have attempted suicide. The training will also include 'lifeguards' who are Indigenous and will monitor participants for signs of distress.

  • The suicide prevention training will take place on February 28 at the Winter Talk conference.
  • The Winter Talk conference is being held from February 27 to March 1.

The players

The Rev. Shaneequa Brokenleg

The Episcopal Church's staff officer for racial reconciliation, interim missioner for Indigenous Ministries, and a Lakota.

Michelle Snyder

Co-executive director of Soul Shop and a mental health therapist.

Christopher Epperson

Co-executive director of Soul Shop and an Episcopalian seminarian.

The Episcopal Church's Truth, Justice and Healing Commission on Native American Schools

A commission researching the full extent of The Episcopal Church's participation and complicity in operating Indigenous boarding schools, gathering stories from boarding school survivors, and navigating advocacy and reconciliation efforts.

The Episcopal Church's Office of Indigenous Ministries

The organizer of the annual Winter Talk conference.

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What they’re saying

“Suicidality is never about a singular cause; it's a convergence of multiple factors.”

— Michelle Snyder, Co-executive director of Soul Shop and a mental health therapist (Episcopal News Service)

“We as a community have a responsibility to learn what to look for so we can take the necessary steps to save lives and bring hope to people.”

— Christopher Epperson, Co-executive director of Soul Shop and an Episcopalian seminarian (Episcopal News Service)

“We need to be able to use genocide in a sentence along with suicide because we believe that they are connected. In order for us to talk about and prevent suicide correctly, we're going to have to bring up the historical trauma.”

— The Rev. Shaneequa Brokenleg, The Episcopal Church's staff officer for racial reconciliation, interim missioner for Indigenous Ministries, and a Lakota (Episcopal News Service)

What’s next

If the pilot program is successful, Indigenous Ministries and Soul Shop will raise funds to train trainers for future workshops for Indigenous communities. They recently applied for a United Thank Offering grant.

The takeaway

This training reflects the Episcopal Church's commitment to addressing the crisis of suicide in Indigenous communities, which is rooted in systemic injustices, intergenerational trauma, and cultural genocide. By providing specialized suicide prevention resources and creating 'soul safe communities,' the church aims to save lives and promote healing.