Navajo veteran helps Indigenous veterans, decrease suicide rates [Video]

NAVAJO NATION (AZFamily) — According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, in 2021, almost 6,400 veterans died by suicide. That’s 114 more deaths than in 2020.

Data also shows Indigenous people serve at the highest rates per capita but have some of the lowest numbers of resources.

Veteran Cassandra Morgan grew up alongside Navajo veterans.

So when she got out of the Marines and faced the same challenges as generations before her, she knew she had to step up.

“That hard-charging spirit, that spirit of I need to get this done for my veterans,” Morgan said.

Morgan said she’s full Navajo and full of pride for those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including her father.

“My dad, he’s a Marine, Vietnam veteran and so they have been involved with a lot of veteran activities for forever,” Morgan said.

This inspired her to join the Marines as well but she would soon face the same challenges as her …