A Kawacatoose First Nation resident received an award today for talking her nephew out of killing himself.
The incident happened on January 10th, 2010.
Joan Machiskinic’s nephew was upset because he had been involved in a hit-and-run and was afraid what would happen to him.
Machiskinic says she walked into the house, not thinking of the danger she could be in:
“At that time I had no concern for my safety. It only hit me later, days later. When I talked to him, to me it seemed like 20 minutes. But my husband, who was outside waiting in the truck, said it was about like three hours, could be over three hours that I was in there talking to him — and I never even realized (it). My main focus was to get him out of there, and turn himself in to the RCMP.”
She says the award is nice, but the greater reward is that her nephew is still alive today.
Machiskinic adds it’s been tough for her nephew, who she says is still struggling with what happened that day.
The award was presented by Punnichy RCMP, who say they are grateful for her efforts and the way the situation ended safely.