Lyndon Durocher passed away in 2023 due to depression. His mother hopes hosting this basketball tournament will raise awareness of youth mental health. (submitted/Shanaya Duquette)

By Kenneth Cheung

ALL FOR DUROCHER

Meadow Lake family hosts basketball tournament to honour late son, raise mental health awareness

Mar 19, 2025 | 12:55 PM

Basketball was more than just a game to Della Duquette’s son—it was his passion, and a way to stay out of trouble; something he wanted to share with others.

Lyndon Durocher died in 2023 after struggling with depression. Two years later, his family in Meadow Lake is keeping his memory alive through an annual tournament celebrating his love for the game while fostering connection and support and promoting mental health awareness.

“This is our second annual tournament. We plan to do it for four years,” Duquette said.

“I just want people to know that they are loved, they are cared for and there’s people out there who care and will do things just to help uplift them, and this is our way of helping to uplift them.”

According to the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth (SACY), in 2023, there was a growing tendency in suicide attempts, with more than three times as many being reported as in previous years.

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The Government of Canada noted that approximately 4,500 people die by suicide each year across the nation, which averages out to around 12 people a day.

His love for basketball carries on

As an Indigenous family, Duquette said they follow the tradition of honouring loved ones for four years before transitioning to personal remembrances.

“And that is just to keep their memory alive. And then after the four years, you will kind of just let go and you do something on your own,” she said.

The tournament takes place on March 22 at Carpenter High School, a time that holds special meaning for the family as Durocher’s birthday was on March 24.

“My son loved basketball when he was here on this Earth. Basketball was his favourite sport,” Duquette said. “It’s a sport that kept him going and out of trouble, and he just really enjoyed it.”

She recalled how her son often spoke about the lack of basketball opportunities in Meadow Lake.

“I remembered him telling me, ‘Mom, there is just not enough basketball in Meadow Lake,’” she said. “And there are so many youths that could stay out of trouble because they love playing basketball.”

For Durocher’s younger sister, Shanaya Duquette, the tournament has become an emotional but comforting tradition.

“Because it brings all my brother’s friends and families together, and it is just like when he was alive,” she said.

“It really helps me heal, and seeing everybody laugh and enjoy themselves… it’s just a really good day overall.”

The tournament saw strong support from the community last year and Della expects it will be the same this time around.

“We had full 10 teams,” she shared. “This year, we’re almost at our cap, and the deadline to sign up is Friday at noon on the 21st.”

**If you are in Canada and you’re in crisis or worried about someone who is, you can call or text 9-8-8, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for bilingual, trauma-informed, and culturally appropriate suicide prevention support.

If you are under the age of 18 you can also contact Kids Help Phone which offers 24/7 text service that does not need a data plan, internet connection or an app to use it. Text CONNECT or call 1-800-668-6868.

For Indigenous Peoples: Hope for Wellness provides immediate non-judgemental, culturally competent, trauma-informed emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community-based services. Call 1-855-242-3310 or go to their website for chat services.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com