Northern community leads the way

Page 20

The community of Fort Chipewyan was abuzz with activity during the community's health and healing conference Feb. 22 to 25. This year's conference - The Road We Build Today, We Travel Tomorrow - was well attended.

From Richard Latreille's workshop on stress management and Relaxation, to Leonard (Moccasin Joe) Dick's workshop on healing with laughter, the conference offered something for all participants, who came from various communities throughout Alberta and Northwest Territories.

"Any time that seeds are planted in a garden of healing, as long as those seeds in the youth and the adults are watered and nurtured with the proper ingredients, as in workshops, then the garden will flourish with healing and it will be a success," said Francis Whiskeyjack, who facilitated the Traditional Medicine Wheel workshop.

Other workshops included Allen and Vicki Jacob's workshop on self-Esteem and youth leadership; healthy relationships with Irene and Gordon Tootoosis; Lester Paul's workshop on HIV/AIDS; Charles Martin's workshop on gambling Addictions; embracing traditional knowledge with Maas Gaak; family violence workshop by community member Beverly Lavoulette; Mike Ryan's workshop on peer pressure and goal setting for youth; and Dr. Louise Million's workshop on sexual abuse survivors.

The warm weather and beautiful scenery in the community was a blessing to everyone, with delegates enjoying walking to the Athabasca Delta Community school and the Mamawi Community Hall where workshops were held.

"I think that Fort Chipewyan should have more healing conferences to get back the power in themselves," said Johnny Stewart, a community member. "We need to work together to better ourselves for our families and for our grandchildren," he said.

"It was very informative. The youth had a good time. They met a lot of other youth from different areas," said Corrine Lewis, National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program co-ordinator at Fort McMurray First Nation.

"The youth I chaperoned said that they would like to return next year and participate in the festivities," she said.

The students that crowded into Leonard (Moccasin Joe) Dick's workshop, laughed uproariously and listened intently as Dick stressed the importance of laughter.

"When you are younger you laugh about 200 to 300 times a day. When you get older you face a lot of pressures, so you only laugh about 40 times a day," said Dick. "We should not take everything seriously."

Lester Paul stressed the importance of knowing the risks of AIDS relating illnesses.

"We have to go back to our old ways when people respected each other, back to when people knew what morals were. Today we are losing our values.

"This is just the beginning. If we do not take a stand with this disease, we will lose a lot of our young people. We have to be aware of the dangers," he said.

On Feb. 23, the community had a chance to honor four community members - Charlie Voyageur, Jenny Flett, Louise Stewart and Randy Marten. Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation chief, Archie Cyprien congratulated the four as the community's newest role models.

The Azimuth Theatre Association performed a play called Wrecked, about drugs and alcohol addiction. ACREE Designs' owner and designer Vi Roberts hosted a fashion show and an evening with the Much Music video dance crew was a highlight of the conference.

"With everything all wrapped up, we are now looking forward to next year's conference," said Donna Cyprien, co-ordinator.

"All in all, the feedback for this conference was very, very good. It was just great.

"There was a relaxed atmosphere throughout the conference and the flow went really good. People said that it was the best conference we've had so far. Some of the people who participated wanted the workshops to go on a lot longer," she said.

Fort Chipewyan is located approximately 225 km north of Fort McMurray on Lake Athabasca, and is home to the Mikisew Cree First Nation, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, and th Fort Chipewyan Metis Local.

During the summer months, Fort Chipewyan is accessible only by air or boat.