'We had goosebumps': Indigenous drum group helps police calm man in crisis on Saskatoon bridge
An Indigenous drum group was in the midst of a performance at the Vimy Memorial on Saturday when they were called into action by Saskatoon police asking for help with someone sitting on the edge of the Broadway Bridge.
“Police came and said they have a man that’s trying to jump,” Jeff Longman said of the group Grey Buffalo .
“And the only thing that was keeping him happy was our music,” said Jared Bird, another member.
With their drums in hand, Bird and Longman walked to the edge of the riverbank and performed prayer songs for a 30-year-old man who was sitting on the edge of the bridge.
“That day it was just hard, a lot of things hit me at once,” the man told CTV News on Tuesday. “Those drummers were there and luckily they were there.”
CTV News is withholding the man's name out of respect for his privacy.
“I walked to the bridge and I was sitting there for a little bit. Cops responded and they were trying to talk me down and I could hear the drumming in the background,” he said.
That’s when police asked Grey Buffalo for help talking the man from the edge of the bridge, something the drummers didn’t hesitate to do.
The moment was captured in a Facebook video the group was streaming where someone can be heard off-camera asking for the group's help.
“So many emotions running through the body, we had goosebumps all the way up the arm and hair standing up,” Longman told CTV News.
Eventually, he backed away from the edge
“It calmed me down,” the man said. “Just the drumming and hearing them sing, it calmed me down and then (seeing) them standing there, I looked at them and thought about my family and said to myself ‘I can’t do this.’”
Longman said he believes the connection between their performance and the man was fate.
“I think that the Creator sent us there to help him, that’s the way I think about it,” he said.
Four days since the incident, the man said he’s doing much better, and is thankful to Grey Buffalo for helping him
“I don’t know what I would have done if they weren’t there to help me, the music really helped me a lot,” he said.
Saskatoon Police Service Insp. Tonya Gresty said the outcome of the incident was the result of officers thinking on their feet in a time of crisis and the "beautiful gesture" made by the drummers.
"We’re really thankful that Grey Buffalo drummers were able to assist police in de-escalating what was a very stressful situation.
"It’s incredible because that’s a big ask that’s putting people in a tough situation asking people to help out with a scenario that could have gone either way."
-----
If you or someone you know is in crisis, here are some resources that are available.
Crisis Services Canada (1-833-456-4566 or text 45645), Centre for Suicide Prevention (1-833-456-4566) or Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) offer ways of getting help if you, or someone you know, may be suffering from mental health issues.
If you need immediate assistance call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.
Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.