White Bear First Nation was a busy place last week when raising awareness about addictions took centre stage. The community was home to a number of events aimed to draw attention to National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Week.
The campaign promotes "an addictions free lifestyle for communities, families and individuals by enabling communities to develop activities which increase knowledge and awareness of addictions and how addictions can be addressed."
Doreen Pasap, community worker for the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program in White Bear, was one of the driving forces behind the events held at White Bear. "Our target audience was the children and youth so we could educate them, but everyone was welcome to attend the events throughout the week," said Pasap. "I work in prevention so it is important to teach the kids in our community about these types of things, so they are educated about them."
The topics and events held throughout the week were diverse. "We brought in some of the organizations that people in our community are affected by and interested in," said Pasap. Dakota House and Scott Ward were also brought in to lead the workshops held throughout the week.
Wellness Workshops kicked off on Monday with a focus on drugs, alcohol and suicide prevention. According to Pasap, the workshops went very well and the day was an overall success with its wrap-up including a show by hypnotist Scott Ward and a teen video dance for the youth in the community.
Tuesday followed with additional workshops which saw participants taking part in bullying, cyber-bullying and gossip sessions in addition to workshops focusing on the impact of television and film.
The preventative focus of the week meant that a Health Fair was held at White Bear Education Complex on Nov. 16, followed by presentations by guest speakers. Children lined the booths in order to learn about what was being offered as well as to take home informational brochures and a few gifts from each of the tables.
A number of organizations were represented at the Health Fair including: Treaty 4 Student Success Program, White Raven Healing Centre, Prince Albert Grand Council Holistic Wellness, White Bear Community Addictions Program, Carlyle and Area RCMP detachment, White Bear Diabetes Program, Southeast Regional Victims Services, Kakakaway Learning Centre and the Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan.
Thursday kicked off with a pancake breakfast followed by a diabetes and addictions presentation held at White Bear Community Hall. There, community members were able to have preliminary screening tests done and learn about preventative measures and living with diabetes.
The week wrapped up with the 2011 Sobriety Walk on Friday. "We start at the Band Office and we go through the village and go down the roads and through the reserve," said Pasap. The route is about 17.5 kilometres."
"Everybody looks forward to it. The walk symbolizes life and whether it is rain, shine, a blizzard or minus 40, we still go because you know, we have so many different things in life happen to us, and we still have to get through them. Many deaths have resulted from the use of drugs and alcohol directly or indirectly and so when we walk, we remember them. And we let their lives be a lesson rather than just forgetting.
"There are lots of reasons for the walk and that's why people look forward to it so much. We have had it for over 10 years. Some walk the entire way and others will run it. We use it for our youth, to challenge them. And every year, the walk is followed by a supper where we have speakers that share their experiences and knowledge with the people that took part in the walk."
The events scheduled throughout the week were a success and were made possible from sponsorship offered by White Bear Chief and Council, Bear Claw Casino, White Bear Health Community Addictions Program, Brighter Futures and the White Bear Diabetes Program.
