Episode 27: Joseph Unterschute in Cranbrook, B.C. Remembers his Cousin Travis

Jenna Keeble 00:00

 Unsilencing Stories is a podcast that reflects the voices of people in small towns and communities in Canada, who have lost loved ones to the toxic drug supply crisis. Since 2016. More than 30,000 people have died from fatal overdoses in Canada and that number continues to climb. The risk in smaller towns and communities is much higher than urban areas because of a lack of harm reduction services, and stigma against substance use and people who use drugs. This podcast is part of a community based participatory research project facilitated by Aaron Goodman, Ph.D., a faculty member at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, B.C., along with students Jenna Keeble and Ashley Pocrnich. 

The aim was to assist collaborators in publicly memorializing their loved ones and expressing grief as well as challenging silences imposed by dominant media organizations and stigma from society against substance use and people who use drugs. We hope these nuanced stories make it clear why the government needs to be doing more to prevent further deaths. Please note this podcast contains information about overdose death, grief and trauma that may be distressing to listen to. In this episode, you'll hear Peter Eugene speaking with Joseph Unterschute in Cranbrook, B.C. Joseph remembers his cousin Travis who experienced a fatal opioid overdose.

Peter 01:15

What was your relationship with?

Joseph 01:18

My cousin, my cousin Travis? I guess he is Travis Plaxton. He overdosed and I guess it sucks. And I wasn't there and it's horrible. But I immediately became the black sheep. Yeah, I'm comfortable talking about it. Like his death was a shock to the family. He's like the only one who OD'ed on the white side of the family. Because I'm half German, it sucked because like it was a battle between who is the better black sheep.  

What about him makes you smile? He made me smile because of his knowledge of video games and storyline in depth, I guess. Because I never read video games, I only smash the button. So, what was your relationship like? Nobody wanted me in my stepfamily in the Yukon. And they didn't like Inuit people and I get beat up a lot. He was my guardian because he was the black sheep, and he was taking care of the new black sheep. Then he kind of passed the mantle after he OD'ed, you know what I mean? And it sucked, he looks skinnier, he didn't eat right, you know. He had no cheek fat or anything because of the you know, hitting the pipe all the time.

Joseph 02:40

Yeah, he wasn’t, he was malnourished all the time. Do you have any traditions to honor him? Well, yes and no. I used to go up with Travis when he used to take me joy riding to the top of Knox Mountain where they would have the downhill races before he OD'ed in Kelowna. I still went up there after, but I don't live there anymore. I'd be up there right now, probably hiking. 

What has helped you the most in your grief? I grew up in the bush, right. One day you got to put your dog down, the next day you're honoring the kill, or you know clubbing out a porcupine because you don't have a rifle. I grew up very desensitized. So, like loss is like nothing but if I was to lose someone like my dad or my mom or my wife or something, I guess it would hurt and I would feel crushed. Travis' mom lived in Inuvik and worked at that bar for 30 years, Travis and Terry and Tammy were all raised there. $63 watermelons? No, thank you.

Peter 03:51

What do you think the deceased’s valued most in life?

Joseph 03:58

Interloping, he valued couch surfing and traveling. I think that's why I do it.

Peter 04:05

How did they act?

Joseph 04:07

Cheap, hustling? I'm older than you so I'm in charge kind of person.

Peter 04:13

How would you describe the deceased’s personality? 

Joseph 04:17

My cousin Travis, he's a dick. He's cheap. His personality was always positive though.

Peter 04:24

How did you meet? 

Joseph 04:27

I was in Inuvik, because I had to go see my grandpa for the first time in Tuktoyaktuk and what happened was, I ended up going to the bar where my auntie Linda worked to eat a meal because like kids can go eat at the bar. It's like a diner bar thing. I met him there. 

What is a practical time you recall the deceased was especially joyful? Well, I think it was when his mom showed up to visit him. But like I don't know why because it like immediately after she would get, he would get mad because if he would have to clean everything, you know what I mean? And I'd always weasel my way out of it.

Peter 05:05

Do you have any funny stories about times you spent together?

Joseph 05:13

Yeah, nerds were nerds. His friend was there, and they downloaded a virus, and it said something dirty. And like it was funny to us as a dirty joke, but it's stupid to other people. I don't know.

Peter 05:28

What was deceased’s favorite color?

Joseph 05:32

Blue. Favorite flower? The fire flower in the Yukon. There's like a forest fire. People are picking morel mushrooms like mad. They'd paid for the pound and then we don't often see these Fire Flowers.

Peter 05:47

What type of music does the deceased listen to?

Joseph 05:53

Living Color, Platinum Blonde, The Wrecking Crew, Nirvana but he wore this cross like he was a good kid even though he was never a good kid, you know in public. How did the deceased impact your life? I don't know. I'm him. And I almost died many countless times, and it could be very well me to be next. If he was here today, I'd most likely be with him in Kelowna doing whatever. You know what I mean? And then it's like now we're all dispersed. But before he passed away, we had Ukrainian Christmases. You know what I mean? The whole family would get together for a week of feasting. You know what I mean? And like, oh my god. I would tell him to say hi to Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain for me, or something, you know, like, I know he's not going to make it to heaven. But you know. 

Jenna Keeble 06:48

That brings us to the end of this episode of the Unsilencing Stories podcast. To listen to more interviews in the series, please go to www.unsilencingstories.com, and if you'd like to share your thoughts on the episode, message us at unsilencingstories@gmail.com. Thank you so much for listening and please share the project with other people you know.