The Foundational Work

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

"We live, we die, and like the grass and trees, renew ourselves from the soft earth of the grave. Stones crumble and decay, faiths grow old and they are forgotten, but new beliefs are born. The faith of the villages is dust now... but it will grow again... like the trees." - Chief Joseph

Our Story

In 1988, Leotis's father succumbed to the spirit of suicide. As an indigenous boy, he was subjected to the onset of issues and culturally absent resources in dealing with the impacts of suicide. Being raised on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, Leotis and his partner Mary were both placed into the foster care systems where they were both placed with family members. Leotis raised by his grandfather and Mary by her adopted mother, they have experienced both directly and indirectly the complex issues with suicide, depression and mental health trauma on reservations. Leotis and Mary would join together in June, 2019 where they would begin their life journey together with shared passions of the outdoors and family adventures. Leotis with his 7 beautiful children and Mary with her Fur Son Red, they would combine their families into one and would take on life's path together.

Both dedicated in the service to their communities by connecting with their traditional customs and living life together, Mary advocating for Indigenous First foods and food sovereignty and Leotis in Traditional Customs and public policy, tragedy would strike in August of 2022. Leotis' 14 year old daughter, Cora Lynn McCormack would also succumb to the spirit of suicide forever changing the trajectory of the life of their entire family path. Leotis, Mary and the Kids and the rest of the family still healing from that event, are striving with a passion to help heal that spirit that has become so prevalent with Indigenous People. In 2022, Himyuma Outreach was then formed to provide an opportunity to help serve families and stand with prevention efforts in our communities through traditional teachings and advocacy.

Every member of our team have a unique but very similar story and connection to losing someone to the spirit of suicide. The hurt that is connected to these experiences are hurts that cannot be described and it is those experiences that drive each member to help those who are struggling with or are needing support through this difficult process.