Filmmaker and social worker Leslye Abbey (left), Eileen Janis (back) and Yvonne “Tiny” DeCory at 2016 NASW National Conference Film Festival

The documentary “Buffalo Nation: The Children Are Crying” by social worker/filmmaker Leslye Abbey examines an epidemic of poverty, alcoholism and suicide in the Lakota Sioux Nation in South Dakota.

The film was shown at the NASW 2016 National Conference Film Festival on June 23. It had a profound impact on the audience, many of whom said the wider American public and policymakers need to become more aware of social problems plaguing often isolated Native American lands.

“‘Buffalo Nation: The Children Are Crying’ was incredible,” Megan Knauss, LCSW said.

“This needs to spread like wildfire,” said Kate Jones, MSW,  who posted a trailer of the film on the NASW 2016 National Conference app.

Yvonne “Tiny” DeCory and Eileen Janis, two suicide prevention counselors on the Lakota Sioux Pine Ridge Reservation, said the public can get involved.

They are asking for monetary and other donations for the BEAR suicide prevention program.