A First Nations woman is embarking on the journey of a lifetime, driving from Chatham-Kent to the remote village of Alert Bay, BC to raise awareness about mental health and suicide.
Flanked by her Great Dane Sebastian, who is a certified therapy dog, Natasha Pittman will begin their journey next week, making stops at remote reservations along the way.
A professional stylist, Pittman plans to speak about her own struggles and do hair for young residents.
The 34-year-old only plans on taking payment in the form of bartering, whether a craft the kids have made or a song or dance they’d like to perform.
“I’m hoping to inspire them and to raise a little bit of hope and their self confidence in giving them a fresh haircut, and their sense of accomplishment in paying for it themselves with something they’ve created or something they’re performing.”
Pittman says kids growing up on a First Nations reserve often lack the hopes and dreams that come naturally to those living in urban areas. She draws inspiration from a young girl who was introduced to a film crew doing a workshop in her village.
“One of the youth had said ‘I had no idea this was even a possibility for me to do until Lindsay came into the village with her camera.’ And I thought that one girl inspired this youth to maybe do something with film and photography now,” Pittman explains.
“I’ve been watching people around me struggle with their mental health issues and not had a sense of how to help. But this is something that I can do to help.”
Pittman launched an online fundraiser to help with her journey – click here for more information.
