Rants and Raves

Page 5

Dear Editor:

My concern is about traditional healing, i.e., the sweatlodge ceremony. I was at last year's International Residential School Conference and there was no sweatlodge ceremony on the agenda.

Would some of my fellow First Nations' people support my idea of a sweatlodge ceremony to be added to the agenda for the International Residential School Conference hosted by the Sturgeon Lake Nation from Feb. 13 to 15, 2004?

All that has to be done is that tobacco be given to the Elder at Nechi Institute at Poundmaker Lodge (in Edmonton).

Please write to the co-ordinator at mistahinapew@sturgeonlakecreenation.net .

Meeguetch. I thank you all my supporting Cree cousins and First Nations.

-Johnny A. Grant

Cree First Nation of Waswanipi, Que.

Dear Editor:

Parents should sit back and look at the kids. They are not paying attention. They are being neglected.

Their fathers and mothers are out always drinking or doing drugs, smoking pot or doing crack or something and they wonder why the kids don't listen.

I was listening to the radio and this guy played this song 'Daddy would you walk straight; you're staggering a bit. I'm stumbling. I'm tripping trying to follow you.' And it's so true.

They should grow up and [it's] time to be a parent, a mother or a father.

Hopefully this can come over to people, their attitudes, to strengthen their love, to open their hearts, and realize that children are a gift and not take it for granted.

They are only having self-pity on themselves when their children are watching them and then they'll grow up as self-pitying... It's time to open their eyes before it's too late. It's time for the parents to break the chains before their kids follow their footsteps and then teach their kids and their kids.

-Barb from B.C.

Dear Editor:

I'm writing to express my concern about emergency services in our Native communities. I believe that the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs should be work with our reserves to develop and implement proper emergency standards in order to help us meet the importance of community safety.

So much takes place, such as criminal activity and medical emergencies, as well as fire situations. And therefore I believe that the reserves should have strong policing that makes a good impact to serve and protect the community and its people

Also, a well-trained fire and medical team could handle and know how to fight fires and perform medical procedures, 'cause people's lives are involved in all emergency situations, and our reserves should have professionally trained personnel that could perform the proper tasks. And by having such standards, our communities will be a lot safer and in good health. The funds would be well spent and used for good purposes.

The issues that happen in our reserves could be prevented and wouldn't have to happen by implementing what I have outlined. Safety is a number one concern and needs good attention to keep the people happy and assured of their safety.

The well-being of our reserves' people lies within the chiefs' hands, and should be closely cared for, since our lives depend and count on the chiefs and councils of our Native bands, who are elected to do what's best for the communities and the people.

-Daniel Napesis

Horse Lake First Nation