Health and healing conference a success

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The weather co-operated and allowed everyone who attended the 10th annual health and healing conference in Fort Chipewyan to enjoy a fun-filled and worthwhile three-days of activities.

The conference was held Feb. 4 to 6 and on opening night attracted 200 people to the Community Role Model Dinner where community members Louise (Jo-Jo) Cardinal, 83, Donal Voyageur, 16, Maureen Clarke, an instructor at Keyano College, and Irene Flett-Redwood, a high school teacher at Athabasca Delta community school in Fort Chipewyan, were honored for their contributions to the betterment of their community.

"It's great being a role model to the youth my age," said Voyageur. "And my way of setting an example to them is by not smoking or doing anything that is not right. It feels pretty good. I would like to say to the youth for them not to drink or smoke," he said.

Country singer Duane Steele performed at the dinner.

The next two days were filled with workshops, a MuchMusic Video Dance for the youth and a fiddle dance. Athabasca Dene fiddler George Robillard of Stony Rapids performed.

Community Wellness manager Donna Cyprien said this year's conference tried to accommodate all ages with a variety of activities.

"Everyone who worked to make it happen worked really hard and the success was due to team work. It was great. I hope that in the future we would have more participation from the community in the workshops, but for those who did attend the workshops it made it worthwhile," she said.

Community member Christina Simpson who lives and works in Fort McMurray said that she enjoyed the event.

"All in all it was really good. I really enjoyed the role model supper. I liked the way that the people involved went out of their way to initiate and set up this event. I believe this dinner encourages our young people to try and do well."

A workshop offered by facilitator George Tuccaro included information about raising children. Family dynamics were discussed by Viki and Alan Jacob of Cold Lake. Francis Whiskeyjack taught a workshop on traditional teachings.

"Henry Parker who did a magic show was a hit for the youth at the school. They really enjoyed his show and the other facilitators did a good job. The dance was excellent. People really enjoyed the fiddle music. People were dancing right from 9 p.m. right until they finished at 1 a.m. The floor was full," Cyprien said.