Alcohol's grip on family loosened at Poundmaker's

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The Rabbitskin family is enjoying a happy and sober life together after alcoholism threatened to split and destroy their home forever.

The Cree family of six from the Chisasibi reserve in northern Quebec are growing closer since coming to a drug rehabilitation centre, Poundmaker's Lodge, near Edmonton.

"It's just beautiful to see them still sober," said Poundmaker's senior counsellor Emile Ward, noting the Rabbitskins have been living a life of sobriety for the past eight months.

The family sought treatment from the lodge last July at the request of the parents' employer, the Quebec Cree School Board. Teaching on the reserves in their native province for the past nine years, Kenny and Lillian Rabbitskin, are both certified elementary teachers with degrees they earned through summer school at the University of Quebec. But, their career goals were almost shattered because they could not stop drinking alcohol.

To hide their drinking problem and avoid losing their jobs, the Rabbitskins would move from reserve to reserve when someone became critical of the example they were setting for students. In 1984, only a court technicality stopped the school board from firing them. A provincial court ruled that the board did not give the pair enough notice before firing them.

The Rabbitskins received a warning from the school board but continued to keep drinking. The couple had been moderate drinkers for the better part of their lives, drinking only on weekends and special occasions. But, after they both received a bachelors degree in education, a feeling of self-satisfaction overcame them. They had arrived at a plateau and began spending more time filling gaps in their lives with leisurely activities. Drinking would prove to be the most self-destructive of these activities.

The couple started missing work and coming to class with the smell of liquor on them, much to the dismay of the school board. The board gave them an ultimatum ? either get help from a rehabilitation centre or find new jobs.

With the assistance of the school board, the Rabbitskins moved across the country and entered a 43-day addictions treatment program at the Poundmaker's Lodge. Kenny explains: "The board said they would help us find the best help possible . . . this place (Poundmaker's) is second to none. The people that work here are doing a fantastic job."

The family completed the rehabilitation program and is now living in Edmonton, travelling to the lodge for support on a regular basis. To prevent relapse, family members are being encouraged to get support in 10-day follow-up programs at the lodge. Lillian completed a follow-up program Feb. 19. Her husband and children were all at her side supporting her on the last day when she received a certificate for her efforts. Kenny and eldest son, Wayne, plan to take the follow-up program.

It wasn't until the Rabbitskins came to the lodge that they realized the effect alcohol and drugs were having on their family.

The parents say they didn't care if their children, who range in ages eight to 19-years-old, consumed alcohol and did drugs. In some cases, Kenny adds "we even encouraged our oldest son (Wayne) to drink and do drugs."

Wayne is an admitted alcoholic. The 18-year-old was kicked out of school several times for missing classes and violent behaviour. He says he would also threaten other students and teachers with violence.

"I used to come to school drunk and sometimes I would pass out on my desk," recalls Wayne, who is currently attending a school in Edmonton, as are the rest of the children: Ernie, 15; Jeremy, 12 and Caroline, 8. Mabel, the eldest at 19 is married and no longer lives with the family. All of the children with the exception of Caroline, have consumed alcohol at one time or another.

"The kids never really had a place they could call home because we were always drinking," says Lillian.

Wayne agrees with his mother: "I couldn't wait to grow up and get out on my own . . . becauseI had a pretty hard time with my parents. Now, it's like starting over." He plans to stay at home and finish high school with the support of his family.

Today, the Rabbitskins are a much closer and happier family. Lillian explains: "I've seen some changes in my family. We seem closer and we're starting to open up to each other more, and my husband and I are listening more."

Kenny says: "I feel great right now. I see some beautiful things happening with my family. We're sitting down and talking about all of the bad things and problems we experienced."

The parents are on a special leave of absence from their teaching jobs with the Quebec Cree School Board, which has guaranteed the couple their old jobs back if they stay sober. The Rabbitskins plan to return home in August if they feel ready. But, whatever happens, it will be a family decision.