Organizer wants everybody to join the circle

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"The goal is to have all Indian and Inuit Communities, bands and organizations participate in the Join the Circle Campaign," says Louis Mayo, National Addictions Awareness Week Co-ordinator at the Nechi Institute.

Last year 405 Native communities sent in declarations of intent to participate and over 18,000 people were involved.

"This unity exemplifies the work being accomplished by Indian and Inuit people to fight addictions in their communities," adds Mayo.

Throughout the years, many communities have celebrated an awareness week on an annual basis. In 1987 Jake Epp, then minister of health and welfare, declared the third week of November each year as National Addictions Awareness Week. The National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) and Nechi Institute of Alberta have come together to develop the concept and to coordinate activities at the national level aimed at promoting the week.

"The special week has been designed to encourage people to join and strengthen the circle of life," says Mayo. The theme "Keep the Circle Strong" was adopted from the Northwest Territories where it had been used to promote an addictions week campaign.

"The week provides information and promotes a variety of activities which will serve to generate awareness of the drug and alcohol issues that affect people across the country," says Mayo.

"It conveys the message of a growing circle of individuals, families and communities who have chosen a lifestyle free of alcohol, drug and solvent abuse."

Promotional materials for the 1990 week have been developed by Nechi, which is located at St. Albert. Keep the Circle Strong buttons, stickers and a new poster are available. "We are supplying a coloring book for children and a special edition National Addictions Awareness Week newsletter for distribution," says Mayo.

A highlight of the week is a community involvement contest for the most creative community project or activity promoting the week. A prize of $500 will be awarded for the prize entry. Over the past four years many unique and interesting projects have been designed like the development of a comic book and endorsements by World Wrestling Federation member Hulk Hogan.

An official declaration of intent has been mailed out to communities across the country. "As people gather completing a circle of life, filled with hope and love in our tomorrows, founded on our traditions, and a growing circle of friends, and communities which have chosen a positive lifestyle free from alcohol and drug abuse, let us grow strong each day, together to Keep the Circle Strong," the declaration reads.

Last year the thousands who joined the circle reported the week's activities strengthened bonds within communities and between neighboring communities, so that even after it was over the bonds of good will remain.

"This tremendous achievement shows the leadership of Native people in recognizing and promoting alcohol an drug awareness through the week and throughout the year," says Mayo.