Walkers draw attention to solvent abuse problem

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Thanks to a small group of youth determined to do something about the situation of solvent abuse in their community, help from the federal government is on the way.

A group of 20 people from Wabaseemoong made up of youth and Elders walked from their home community located near Kenora, Ont. all the way to Ottawa to bring a message to Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC) Minister Robert Nault that the solvent abuse problem on-reserve needs to be addressed, and soon.

"There is rampant solvent abuse in our community, and alcohol abuse. So we decided to do something. Instead of just talking about it, we wanted to do something about it. And that's the reason why. And this walk here that the youth made has opened the doors for action," said Wabaseemoong Chief Ron McDonald.

The solvent abuse is taking the greatest toll on the youth of the community. In the past two years, 15 local youth have committed suicide, the latest death occurring this past August.

The walkers marched 2,000 kilometres in 25 days, raising awareness and gathering support from the communities they passed along the way.

"It was so wonderful. Everything just fell into place," said McDonald. People came out to meet with the walkers, just to talk to them and support their efforts, or to donate money or give them something to eat or drink.

Things continued to fall into place when the walkers reached their destination on Oct. 2.

"It was very positive. We had a good reception. Once we got to the eternal flame, we were immediately invited and escorted to Bob Nault's office," McDonald said.

"We even had a chance to talk to Matthew Coon Come, the grand chief, that same day. He came in and supported us, and told us that we need to get something done. And he was actually surprised [that we had] an opportunity with the minister of Indian Affairs. He said that most of the groups weren't allowed to visit the minister. He was really quite happy that we had that opportunity. Usually, apparently, walkers or protestors don't have that kind of reception that we had."

The First Nation's earlier attempts at getting INAC's help with its problems weren't so successful, McDonald said, with letters written to the minister not prompting much in the way of action from the department.

The face-to-face meeting with the minister, however, was much more constructive.

"He responded to all our requests in a positive way. And it sounds like he's going to follow through on our requests, and support us and to see how we can get a series of meetings going right away. We've been contacted through e-mail and through letters . . . meetings are already being set up this month."

Those meetings, between INAC officials, Health Canada's Medical Services Branch, and the provincial ministry of Community and Social Services, will be held to discuss providing the First Nation with the community-based support it is requesting.

"What we're calling for is a healing lodge, also a detox centre, a treatment centre, after-care unit . . . and also what we had requested was the new school be fast-tracked for construction. We asked for the new school to be made, that was an obligation on their part to build a new school for us. And they said that they would, but first that we would have to finish our existing projects, which is the water tower and water treatment plant, has to be built first. And we are getting that built right now."

The school on reserve was built in the early 1970s, and is in great need of replacing, he said.

"It's basically dilapidated. We're having foundation problems on it, and structural problems. The roof is leaking . . . it's not safe anymore."

While it was the youth of the community who came up with the idea for the walk, their efforts had the full support of the First Nations leadership, who has been trying to tackle solvent abuse problems in their own way.

"The reason why the leadership supported it is that we, the chief, the council, made a bylaw that it is nowillegal to have solvents in the community. And even to traffic or sell solvents. And the consequence or penalties for that are very severe at this point, because what the punishment is is that they're going to be banished if they're caught selling the stuff to our youth. "

No one has been caught in violation of the bylaw, which came into effect in July, McDonald said, but chief and council were planning to meet with the Ontario Provincial Police, the local crisis intervention team and the special constables to discuss how the bylaw could be enforced.

McDonald is confident the new school, detox centre and healing lodge will become a reality for Wabaseeemoong, and is equally confident they will make a big difference to local youth, and to the community as a whole.