National Addictions Awareness Week

NAAW highlights solutions to help address alcohol- and other drug-related harms. It’s an opportunity for people in Canada to learn more about prevention and harm reduction, talk about treatment and recovery, and discuss solutions for change. PFN Health & Wellness Center host their Miyopimacisowin Nimi Wathdde Nimi Ge in the newly renovated Training Center this year. Day 1 proceeded with a Sobriety walk and Elder prayer with a welcoming address from Chief and Council. Health Director Annie Bird and Community-based coordinator Bernice Bird also gave their address.

Good Morning,

I want to thank the Elders for the prayer and Chief and Council for their support and encouragement. I wan to welcome you to the NAAW event, staff have planned a fantastic program for the week. This week, we observe NAAW, it is important time to highlight solutions for addressing the challenges associated with addictions.

The planned activities this week reflect upon on us all that we have a vital role in affecting positive changes. We need to work together now more than ever. Its important for the next generation.

Addictions take many forms and it effects lives through dependencies on drugs, alcohol, gambling and technology and other behaviors.

Each form carries its own challenges, but all share the common need for compassion, support and understanding.

With that being said, I want you to join me recognizing staff for the organizing and planning of the event. And to those staff that decorated the gymnasium. I want to make special recognition to Brooke Rain, who worked tirelessly in shopping, contacting facilitators, and developing the agenda.

-Health Director Annie Bird

In the afternoon we we're introduced to our Motivational speaker Earl Lambert by Chico and this man brought the Enthusiasm and energy to the room with his personal testimony of growing up with Parents struggling with addictions and how it lead to a less than ideal living conditions. What I found personally inspiring about his story is that his focus was on our youth and he gave personal affirmations to re-enforce his message. I remember my school exposing me to a person with a story of hardship and when your young you can't identify with the experience but Earl gave it his all to spread his message.

I guess the part that really resonated that Earl transformed his life by listening to his Elders and finding healing in Traditional Practices. His message was also aided by charisma he knew how to appeal to his people, he was funny with his jokes, nuances, idiosyncrasies and his message was empowered by his spirit which exerted all its effort to inspire and provide unity among his audience.

Here he was performing a card trick with on of our youths.

The grand finale was quite impressive as he trick seemed to have failed in guess her correct card but he unveiled a sheet that had the correct card.

To another young man he said he was going to make him levitate.

He built the expectation and re-enforced it by shaking his chair

In the end it was misdirection as his conditions were for the young guy to keep his eyes closed as he spun this hypnotic device in front of him and when removed the young guy was noticeably dizzy.

Earl drew his presentation to a close with a reimagining of a modern round dance which he called a Snake dance that to my surprise was a fun and engaging activity. I am grateful to have heard his story, witness his charisma and was inspired by his spirit.

Day 2 started with a very personal testimony from Celeste Rain she spoke on her difficulties with Addiction when she was enter her college life. She gave real life stories of close calls and the consequences of her actions and those she surrounded herself with. Celeste was very open with her audience and the main takeaway I got from her message was taking accountability for her life and her decisions and living a life with a directed purpose.

Celeste had prepare a family tree and had each of kids trace their lineage as far back as they could for them to keep to remember their roots. She then gave out door prizes for anyone of the children to explain how Paul Band came about. Remember that show kids say the darndest things, one of the students said 'that white men had setup the reserve and that they put the Indians on the reserve to live'?

Day 3 started with guest speaker Karen Rae from NCSA (Native Counselling Service of Alberta) she had mentioned that she was from Treaty 8 and had hand out Healing Wheels for the children to fill out with her own as a template.

Our very own April Kantor followed up with Naloxone training on how to administer the nasal spray and group of drugs that it would counter act the effects of an overdose. Specifically the medication applied to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids. April mentioned that medical assistance would still be needed after giving the medication and she described the symptoms of someone experiencing an overdose such as: labored breathing, blue lips, and unresponsive.

She then proceed to give out the Naloxone nasal sprays with the caution not to leave them in your car as the medication would freeze.

In the afternoon Pauline Bird lead a community Sharing Circle which she encourage everyone in attendance to participate in. Emphasize was given that the more participants the stronger the circle would be. Pauline also mentioned that respect for one another was crucial and what was shared in the circle was to remain among participants.

Day 4 continued with guest speaker Jeremy Bearhead who is shinning example of someone who took control of their lives, worked to provide for his family, and has been living off reserve for some time. The afternoon session was presentation from the RCMP and they were giving resource and proper protocol to our Crisis Response Team about how they respond to incidents. The even drew to a close with a community Banquet dinner and recognition of Sobriety concluding with a Mini round-dance and giveaway.