By meadowlakeNOW

Flying Dust FN hosts Addictions Awareness Week

Nov 24, 2017 | 11:12 AM

Addiction isn’t an easy topic to discuss any time of the year, but the Flying Dust First Nation brought the subject front and centre during this year’s Addictions Awareness week events.

Led by health staff, there was a wide variety of activities planned that ranged all ages, and included cultural celebration and practices as well.

The week included a pancake breakfast, a MADD red ribbon walk, drum group and singers, a skating party and a youth panel shared their stories and answered questions from fellow youth. To cap off the week, an Alcoholics Anonymous roundup will be held today and a dry dance this evening. Throughout the week, there have been several community meals as well.

Sheila Lambert, Director of Health Services, said it was important to have a wide range to reach as many community members as possible.

“We try and reach all ages, we want everybody involved,” she said. “We know that families are struggling out there with addictions, and we want to bring awareness to them and say that we provide support and information, and are there to help and have qualified staff.”

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She said the staff always try to get a great deal of input and feedback about what people would like to see for speakers and events. She said she was pleased with the amount of participation, as most events were well attended all week long.

Tyler Aubichon, one of the speakers at the youth panel, said it meant a lot to have his community participate in this awareness week.

At 16, he is a student at Carpenter High and is a recovering addict, and is three years sober. He’s a lover of sports, and represented team MLTC this summer as an archer and is trying out for the winter games hockey team. He said being active and being a part of a community is what helps him.

“I want to share the message to the younger kids because once they get into their teen years that’s when they know about drugs and alcohol.”

He said learning more about his culture is what pulled him out of the tough times.

“I’m a singer and a powwow dancer now,” said Aubichon. “It’s an important message for all those kids and people who are struggling with addictions.”

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath