Photos: Tanana youth confront elders at AFN over suicide

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Young members of the Tanana 4-H Youth Group speak out against suicide, substance abuse, and domestic violence at the 2013 AFN meeting in Fairbanks. The group gave a passionate speech at the Youth & Elders conference on Tuesday, and was invited to speak to the general Alaska Federation of Natives conference, where they received a standing ovation and thousands of dollars donated by the audience. Oct 25, 2013

FAIRBANKS -- Seven children from the 4-H Club from Tanana held the attention of a large crowd in the Carlson Center on Friday -- for the second time this week -- only this time before the annual Alaska Federation of Natives convention.

As they did Tuesday at the Elders & Youth Conference, the children spoke in personal terms Friday afternoon about the toll of alcohol abuse, sexual assault and suicide. One child lost her father to suicide. Another lost an uncle. A third described crying herself to sleep on nights when her parents were drunk.

READ MORE: Children elicit tears and donations with anti-suicide pledge